Rúben Amorim Reveals Lesson He Learnt From José Mourinho About Man Utd’s 2017 Triumph Over Ajax
As Rúben Amorim leads Sporting CP to the cusp of European glory, the young Portuguese manager has opened up about one of the most formative influences on his coaching philosophy: José Mourinho’s tactical masterclass in the 2017 UEFA Europa League final. Manchester United’s victory over Ajax that year might have faded from the headlines, but for Amorim, it remains a landmark example of how pragmatism, preparation, and experience can outweigh youthful energy and idealism in European football.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Sporting’s own Europa League final appearance, Amorim reflected on what he called “one of the most important footballing lessons” he ever studied from afar — a lesson taught by none other than fellow Portuguese coach and managerial icon, José Mourinho.
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The 2017 Final: Mourinho’s Tactical Blueprint
In 2017, Manchester United faced a young and vibrant Ajax side managed by Peter Bosz in the Europa League final in Stockholm. While Ajax had captured the imagination of fans with their fluid, attacking style and fearless approach, it was Mourinho’s United who came out on top with a 2-0 victory built on tactical discipline and mental fortitude.
Goals from Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan sealed the win, but it was the control United exhibited throughout the match — limiting Ajax’s space, disrupting their rhythm, and exploiting set-pieces — that truly stood out to Amorim.
“I remember watching that match as a young coach,” Amorim said. “Ajax were beautiful to watch that season, but Mourinho showed that finals are not about aesthetics. They’re about control, maturity, and minimizing risk. That stuck with me.”
Amorim, who at the time was still transitioning into management after a successful playing career, said that the game redefined his understanding of knockout football: “You can dominate possession and look impressive on the ball, but if you don’t manage the small moments — the set-pieces, the second balls, the game tempo — you will lose against teams that do.”
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From Midfielder to Manager: A Shift in Perspective
As a former midfielder, Amorim admits he once believed in the supremacy of beautiful football. Like many players raised in the Portuguese tradition, he idolized flowing attacks, technical brilliance, and offensive freedom. But watching Mourinho’s United stifle Ajax reshaped his thinking.
“I was fascinated by how Manchester United managed Ajax without really having the ball,” he explained. “They controlled the match without pressing high or having long spells of possession. Mourinho showed that in a final, it’s the team that best manages pressure and adapts that usually wins.”
This observation would become a cornerstone of Amorim’s own tactical evolution. While his Sporting CP team is known for attacking intent and fluid movement, particularly in the Portuguese league, he has become increasingly pragmatic in European knockout ties. He’s learned to adapt, to prepare for different scenarios, and to ensure his team can win in more than one way.
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Finals Require a Different Mindset
Amorim spoke about the unique psychological and tactical demands of a final, something Mourinho managed masterfully in 2017.
“In a final, players carry more pressure than in any other game. Mistakes are amplified. Decisions are more cautious. And the manager has to manage not only tactics but also emotions,” he said. “That night, Mourinho created a mental shield for his players. You could see that United were mentally prepared for every eventuality.”
Amorim also praised Mourinho’s ability to reduce the game to key duels and winning moments — something he now tries to emulate with his own squad. “Mourinho simplified the game for his players. He made them focus on what mattered most — defending well, staying compact, attacking spaces left by Ajax’s fullbacks, and making the most of set pieces.”
That mental sharpness, Amorim believes, was as important as any tactical switch.
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Adapting Lessons to Modern Sporting CP
Fast forward to 2025, and Amorim has brought Sporting CP to the brink of European success. Drawing inspiration from Mourinho’s approach, he’s built a side that blends youth and experience, flair and functionality.
Sporting’s journey to the Europa League final has been marked by adaptability. Against Atalanta, they pressed high. Against Roma, they sat deeper and countered. In every tie, Amorim has tweaked his team’s setup with precision — a far cry from the rigid, idealistic teams that often falter on the continental stage.
“The lesson from Mourinho is not to abandon your identity, but to evolve it for the situation,” Amorim explained. “You can play attacking football, but you must know when to press, when to sit, when to break lines, and when to take a foul. Mourinho mastered that. I’m trying to bring that same clarity to Sporting.”
He emphasized that while Mourinho’s brand of football is often labeled “defensive,” the 2017 final was actually a lesson in effective football — not just defensively, but in managing transitions, tempo, and psychology.
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A Portuguese Legacy
Portugal has long produced world-class coaches — from Mourinho to André Villas-Boas to Amorim himself. Amorim credits this not only to tactical intelligence but also to the willingness to learn from each other’s journeys.
“Mourinho showed what a Portuguese coach could achieve in Europe. He made us believe that we could compete with the best, even without the biggest budgets,” Amorim said. “His work at Porto, Inter, Real Madrid, and yes, even Manchester United — it laid the groundwork for people like me.”
Amorim’s admiration for Mourinho goes beyond tactics. It’s also about resilience, attention to detail, and emotional leadership. “He builds a mentality. You can argue about the style, but you cannot argue about his ability to win finals.”
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Looking Ahead: Amorim’s Moment to Make History
With the Europa League final now on the horizon, Amorim knows the challenge ahead is immense. But he also knows that, like Mourinho did in 2017, it’s not always the most entertaining team that wins — it’s the one that’s best prepared.
“If I can guide Sporting to a European title, I’ll be proud,” Amorim said. “But I’ll also know that part of that success was built on the lessons I learned from Mourinho’s Manchester United in 2017.”
As Amorim looks to make history of his own, he carries the legacy of Portuguese coaching forward — shaped not only by innovation but also by the wisdom of his predecessors. The 2017 Europa League final may have been just anot
her chapter for Mourinho, but for Amorim, it was a blueprint for greatness.
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