It’s been a busy week in terms of controversies for Ruben Amorim and one of them is the situation with Kobbie Mainoo – his brother wore a provocative shirt in the last game at Old Trafford – which certainly won’t go away anytime soon. After addressing this topic in the last press conference, the Portuguese explained the situation again and even used an example from when he was still Sporting’s coach, in 2022, when his brother also caused controversy on social media.
«He is a shy boy, but it is not his responsibility. He is responsible for his actions and his action was to play well in the last game, I’m just focused on that. I had a situation at Sporting where my brother wrote something on the internet and I had to answer for it. My explanation is that he has his life, he has his opinion and that has nothing to do with me. Therefore, I will do the same with Kobbie», explained the Portuguese.
At issue is a response from Ruben Amorim’s brother, Mauro Amorim, who called a Lions fan a “lizard” in a post on social media, in which he defended his brother, a Lions coach. «My Jorge Jesus? You don’t know what you’re saying… Two seasons? You must have been stuck without television, that’s all. Round of 16 of the Champions League last year, League Cup and Super Cup, 2nd place to fight until the end. Tell me a coach with these titles at the club. Maybe some 30 years ago and even then I have doubts… I’ve seen that you don’t understand a… football. And I say more, with 100% certainty, when he leaves you will enter the biggest crisis ever seen. You lizards who talk like that know what’s going on. Go to sleep, go, it will pass», wrote Mauro Amorim.
Ruben Amorim even used the example of Cristiano Ronaldo, who often started games on the bench for Manchester United, at the beginning of his adventure in England. «Kobbie needs to fight for his place. I think it’s not bad to be on the Manchester United bench when you’re 20 years old. I remember Cristiano Ronaldo was on the bench, Wayne Rooney was on the bench sometimes. [Juan Sebastian] Veron wasn’t playing. I remember the whole history of Manchester United. So let’s continue to try to avoid the nonsense and the noise. I just want to help the team win. Help Kobbie to be a better player”, he explained, stating that he could start this Sunday, against Aston Villa.
“I’m not trying to say to Kobbie: ‘You’re an important player here, let’s put you on the bench to show something’. No no. What I’m saying is the opposite. I’m just not putting Kobbie on sometimes because I understand that he’s not the right player to start the game. Maybe in the next game, on Sunday, he will start. If he plays well, he will show everyone: ‘This coach can’t take me out of the team’, and I will be very happy, so I don’t mind. I don’t want to show anything to anyone. I’m just saying that I’m trying to win games and show the players that, if they do the right things, they will play, regardless of their name”, he assured.
