Incoming Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim refused to answer a British journalist in English at one of his final press conferences with Sporting Lisbon.
Amorim insisted on speaking in his native Portuguese ahead of his final home match with Sporting, a clash with Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Sky Sports reporter Gary Cotterill repeatedly pressed Amorim, calling his refusal a ‘cold shoulder to all your English fans’, but the Portuguese apologised, laughed it off and continued in his native language.
The awkward clip has sparked strong reactions, with Cotterill, who also fell out with Amorim’s predecessor Erik ten Hag, receiving a barrage of online abuse.
Amorim, who joins United on November 11 on a contract worth a reported £6.5m per year, insisted his compatriots will ‘miss me in Portuguese’.
Incoming Man United boss 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 match with Manchester City
The tense conversation began when Cotterill said, “Ruben, hello. Do you know what we’re missing? Your wonderful English. Can we give one answer in English to all the people who are going to watch this match and are interested in Manchester City, Sporting and Manchester United? One answer in English?’
Amorim apologized and his press officer said: ‘You will have time to hear Ruben speak English (when he goes to England), now it is time for him to speak Portuguese.’
Amorim smiled broadly as Cotterill plowed on.
‘Has Manchester United asked you not to speak English?’ No, Amorim said. Cotterill added: “I was wondering if you were aware that it’s obviously great to win tomorrow night for your current club, but also brilliant for your new club. You could be a hero before you even get on the plane to Manchester. Has that occurred to you? In English, please.’
Amorim replied, “Sorry, I can’t speak English right now.”
‘Why?’ Cotterill asked twice, while Amorim apologized.
“They will miss me in Portuguese, so I have to speak Portuguese,” the 39-year-old said.
At this point Cotterill increased the intensity: ‘They spoke Portuguese for about 25 minutes. We want 10 seconds in English.’
Amorim has agreed a deal to take charge of Manchester United from November 11
Sky Sports reporter Gary Cotterill wanted Amorim fans in England to respond
Sporting Lisbon will take on Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday evening
“I know, I know,” was Amorim’s response, before his press officer insisted: “We’ll continue in Portuguese.” Next week you can hear him speak in English.’
At that moment, Amorim Cotterill gave a thumbs up and clarified with a smile: “Basic English.”
Then Cotterill’s final outburst: ‘It’s like a cold shoulder to all your England fans.’
Amorim laughed, said sorry, and did his business in Portuguese. He answered other questions in English, but spoke through a translator.
To rub salt in the wound, a clip emerged in which Amorim gave an exclusive interview in English with rival broadcaster TNT Sports – the rights holders to the Champions League.
Cotterill has faced widespread criticism after being branded ‘arrogant’ for demanding that a Portuguese manager in charge of a Lisbon club speak English.
On the other hand, his job is to try and 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 rejected by Erik ten Hag in 2022.
Sky Sports reporter Cotterill was previously rejected by former United boss Erik ten Hag
Ten Hag refused to speak to Cotterill at a press conference after taking over as United boss
Cotterill tried to speak to Ten Hag in the Selhurst Park car park in May 2022, when the Dutchman had gone to watch United, who he would soon manage, in a 1-0 defeat to the Eagles.
Ten Hag’s security guard held him back while Cotterill protested: ‘It doesn’t look good to be manhandled by security, Erik. It’s Man United, a big club.’ He was also rejected in Amsterdam.
Then, in August 2022, ahead of a match with Southampton, Ten Hag ignored Cotterill when asked a question before taking one from a BBC reporter – a move widely seen as revenge for the car park chase.