MANCHESTER, England — Ruben Amorim has expressed his commitment to restore the glory days at Manchester United, a club with a storied legacy of 20 English championships.

The challenge for the new coach is significant, as he aims to reverse over a decade of decline that has followed the departure of legendary manager Alex Ferguson in 2013, during which time United has struggled to reclaim its status as a dominant force in the Premier League.

Amorim, who joined from Sporting Lisbon just this month, welcomes the opportunity and stated on Friday, “I will do everything I can to position this club where it rightfully belongs. I firmly believe that we will achieve success together.”

At just 39 years old, the Portuguese coach is stepping into the role as the sixth permanent manager since Ferguson’s era ended with his final league title.

David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Erik ten Hag all faced challenges in trying to uplift United back to the pinnacle of both English and European football—especially as Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City has surpassed them in recent years.

Amorim’s task is particularly daunting, considering he is joining a team that has recorded its worst league start since 1986, making immediate improvements less likely.

In an interview with United’s dedicated channel, he remarked, “We recognize that achieving our goals requires time, and the way to gain that time is by winning matches. However, the most crucial aspect for me is to establish an identity. Therefore, we will focus on that starting from day one.”

When asked about what fans can anticipate in the initial weeks of his leadership, he responded honestly, “While I wish I could paint a beautiful picture for you, the reality is more complex. What I can assure you is that you will witness a clear philosophy in our game.”