Swapping Lisbon for the north of England promises to be a big step for Ruben Amorim in his new role as Manchester United manager, but he can count on the full support of his wife, Maria Joao Diogo.
It will not be the first time that the glamorous wife moves her entire world for her husband; The couple moved their lives to the Middle East in 2015, after Amorim joined Qatari team Al-Wakrah.
Maria had forged her own successful career while Amorim made her way in football, earning a degree in telecommunications engineering before setting up her own interior design company, Dois Tons.
She decided to temporarily leave her career to join Amorim in the Middle East, and now, after moving to Portugal, Maria will no doubt once again follow her husband as he settles in the UK.
Amorim, widely regarded as one of Europe’s best managers, has been confirmed as the man to succeed Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford on November 1. His first game in charge will be against Ipswich on Sunday.
Having officially started his job on November 11 after serving a notice period at former club Sporting Lisbon, the Portuguese manager has already started looking for a home.
But his family, who stays out of the public eye, apparently remained in Portugal for now while he stays in a hotel in the northern city, it reported. Manchester Evening News on Mondays.
Amorim and Maria are believed to have first crossed paths during his time as a soccer player for Portuguese club Benfica before marrying in 2013, in Coimbra, in front of around 160 family and friends, according to The mirror.
Rubén Amorim married María Joao Diogo (right) in 2013 and she temporarily abandoned her career for him.
Among the guests at the special occasion were several famous footballers, all of whom were related to the bride.
Former Portuguese professional footballer Luis Filipe, who played for Benfica, Sporting, Braga, is married to María’s sister Inés, while former PSG sporting director Antero Henrique is the husband of her sister Daniela Diogo.
But María’s football connections do not end there, as her partner and close friend, Raquel Gomes, is married to former footballer Hugo Viana, who will become Manchester City’s director of football next season.
María and Raquel founded the interior design firm Dois Tons together. The company’s mission is “to create spaces with a unique identity,” according to The telegraph.
It is unclear whether Amorim’s wife will continue to play her role in the company while she lives in Manchester.
In 2015, he decided to temporarily leave his career to join Amorim in the Middle East, after he opted to leave the club he supported as a child, Benfica, to join Al-Wakrah in Qatar.
Amorim has spoken fondly of their time together in Qatar, but admitted it wasn’t always easy for the couple.
“I had never played abroad, I had traveled abroad, but I had not played,” he explained.

Maria is a successful interior designer in her own right, but she has made great sacrifices to support her husband.

Maria (left) created her interior design company, but left to join Amorim in Qatar.
‘Qatar, to live as a family, is a spectacular country. People have no idea of the quality of life in Qatar. It’s very familiar… If I had to choose to live with my family, I would go to Qatar.
‘My wife came to see me, I went ahead to take care of things. He asked me what kind of clothes I could wear, where we could live, if it was traditional or not.
‘I told her to wear a certain type of clothing and she came and said, ‘Ruben, I didn’t bring any clothes to wear here.’
Amorim’s stay in Qatar was short-lived as he returned to Portugal in 2016 before hanging up his boots.
Earlier this month, Amorim revealed the reasons behind his decision to join Manchester United after conducting his first interview since arriving at the club.
The 39-year-old man is tasked with resurrecting United’s season and cleaning up the mess left by Erik ten Hag after dutch He was fired last month.
The Portuguese has become one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe, having guided Sporting Lisbon to two Portuguese top-flight titles, ending the club’s almost 20-year wait, and is the only head coach in the Europe’s top leagues overseeing a 100 percent winning start. to the season.
Now, Amorim has revealed why he decided to join United despite previously revealing that other teams had tried to court him.

Amorim and Maria are believed to have first crossed paths during his time as a football player for Portuguese side Benfica before marrying in 2013.

Rubén Amorim gives an interview at Old Trafford on November 14
Speaking to MUTV, Amorim said: “First of all, I think I felt a connection with the club. And when I say with the club, everyone knows Manchester United.
“But I feel the connection with the people at the club and that is very important for me because I want to work with people I like and I feel a connection.”
‘The second point is the history of this club. And also the moment when I think that all people are hungry for success and I feel that this is the place I want to be also for that, because you can be part of something special, not just another one. And that’s something I really like,’ he added.
Amorim’s arrival has been hailed by United fans, but he must now deliver the results and positive attacking play with which he achieved success in Lisbon and join an environment in hugely contrasting circumstances.

Amorim has won two league titles at Sporting Lisbon. Amorim pictured with staff as they celebrate winning the Portuguese Super Cup in 2021

Amorim has never trained abroad, but seems to have everything ready to succeed at United.
He is United’s seventh permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and will look to build on the positive foundations left by interim manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy, whom Amorim decided not to integrate into his backroom team.
However, United currently sit 13th in the Premier League table after a dismal start to the new season and Amorim’s immediate job is to take his team to the top of the table.
The former player will have to wait until Thursday 28 November to get his first taste of Old Trafford when United host Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League before hosting Everton in the Premier League just three days later.