Incoming Manchester United manager Rubén Amorim refused to respond in English to a British journalist in one of his last press conferences with Sporting Lisbon.
Amorim insisted on speaking in his native Portuguese ahead of his final home game for Sporting, a clash against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Sky Sports journalist Gary Cotterill repeatedly put pressure on Amorim, calling his refusal “indifference to all his English fans”, but the Portuguese apologized, laughed and continued in his native language.
The uncomfortable clip has sparked a strong reaction, with Cotterill, who also fell out with Amorim’s predecessor Erik ten Hag, receiving a torrent of online abuse.
Amorim, who will join United on November 11 on a contract worth £6.5m a year, insisted his compatriots “will miss me (speaking) Portuguese”.
Incoming Man United manager Ruben Amorim refused to answer a question in English on Monday
This was the press conference for his last home game with Sporting Lisbon: a Champions League clash against Manchester City
The tense exchange began when Cotterill said: ‘Ruben, hello. Do you know what we miss? Your wonderful English. Can we have an answer in English for all the people who are going to watch this game interested in Manchester City, Sporting and Manchester United? An answer in English?
Amorim apologized and his press officer said: “You will have time to listen to Rubén speak English (when he goes to England), now it is his turn to speak Portuguese.”
Amorim smiled widely as Cotterill continued forward.
“Has Manchester United asked you not to speak English?” No, Amorim said. Cotterill added: “I was wondering if you were aware that obviously winning tomorrow night will be brilliant for your current club, but also brilliant for your new club. You could be a hero before you even get on a plane to Manchester. Do you know?” Has it crossed your mind? In English, please.
Amorim replied: “Sorry, I can’t speak English right now.”
‘Because?’ Cotterill asked twice as Amorim apologized.
“They will miss me in Portuguese, so I have to speak in Portuguese,” said the 39-year-old.
At that moment Cotterill increased the intensity: “They had about 25 minutes in Portuguese. We want 10 seconds in English.’
Amorim has reached an agreement to take charge of Manchester United from November 11
Sky Sports reporter Gary Cotterill wanted Amorim to give an answer to fans in England.
Sporting Lisbon will face Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday night
“I know, I know,” Amorim responded, before his press officer insisted: “We will proceed in Portuguese.” Next week you will be able to hear him speak in English.
At that moment Amorim gave Cotterill a thumbs up and clarified with a smile: “More basic English.”
Then Cotterill’s final jab: “It’s like a cold shoulder to all your English fans.”
Amorim laughed, apologized, and went about his business in Portuguese. He answered other questions in English, but spoke through a translator.
To rub salt in the wound, a clip emerged of Amorim giving an exclusive interview in English with rival broadcaster TNT Sports, the owners of the Champions League rights.
Cotterill has come under fire, branded “arrogant” for demanding that a Portuguese coach who manages a Lisbon club speak English.
On the other hand, your job is to try to get a response from a man who will soon take charge of one of the biggest clubs in England and the world, and perseverance is a rule of the trade.
The Sky Sports reporter was previously snubbed by Erik ten Hag in 2022.
Sky Sports reporter Cotterill was previously snubbed by former United manager Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag refused to speak to Cotterill at a press conference after taking over as United manager.
Cotterill attempted to speak to Ten Hag in the Selhurst Park car park in May 2022, when the Dutchman had gone to watch United, whom he would soon manage, in a 1-0 defeat to the Eagles.
The Ten Hag security guard kept him away while Cotterill protested: “It doesn’t look good to be mistreated by security, Erik. It’s Man United, a great club. It was also rejected in Amsterdam.
Then, in August 2022, before a match with Southampton, Ten Hag blanked Cotterill while asking a question before answering one from a BBC reporter, in a move that was widely seen as revenge for the persecution in the parking lot.