In Portugal they speak of Hugo Viana working "in the shadows", a man eager to perform his duties away from the spotlight. He will be especially pleased that his good friend Rúben Amorim will take the headlines when Viana's current and future employers meet in the Champions League tonight.
Over the past six years he has built his reputation as one of Europe's best young sporting directors by helping to make his first club, Sporting, a force once more.
Sporting had not won the league title for 16 seasons when Viana arrived with only six months' experience at Belenenses. Under Viana's direction, Sporting have bested both Porto and Benfica twice to finish top - his first title coming in his third season at the club.
The former Newcastle midfielder cannot claim all the credit for the turnaround but it was his decision to appoint his former teammate Amorim, paying €10m for a head coach who had started the season managing Braga B in the third tier.
The duo's success means they will be rivals in Manchester; Viana will soon be tasked with keeping the City train running and Amorim with trying to turn the United ship around after years of drift. Working collaboratively is one of the key factors in the two men growing their reputations and whether they can slot into two very different environments and maintain their progress will be fascinating to see and may even test their bond.
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Denne historien er fra November 05, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Amorim rewarded for keeping faith with his eternal optimist
This was a thrilling, bruising game, and even a very funny one at times.
Amorim's winter warmer
United manager hails side's mentality in thrilling draw
Referee 'not at Premier League level', says Silva
A frustrated Marco Silva, the Fulham manager, described the performance of Darren Bond, the referee, as \"not at Premier League level\" after he opted not to dismiss the Ipswich defender Leif Davis during the sides' 2-2 draw.
Diallo grabs vital point as United step up at Anfield
An evening of some redemption for Manchester United was not without its customary slice of Anfield agony. Thirty seconds remained of a gripping battle when Joshua Zirkzee spurned the chance of hero status among fans who jeered him six days earlier to present Harry Maguire with a clear sight of Alisson's goal.
Fulham toil against strugglers again as Jiménez rescues point
Imagine where Fulham would be if they could see off the strugglers. They averted a rare defeat when Raúl Jiménez converted his second penalty of the afternoon at the start of added time but never did enough to overcome a well-drilled Ipswich.
Isidor proves worth to keep nervy Black Cats in the leading pack
Before kick-off Portsmouth's manager, John Mousinho, suggested all the pressure would be on Sunderland, leaving his players free to relax, improvise and unlock their inner creativity.
Australia make hay in Bumrah's absence to clinch series win
Boland skittles India to set up World Test Championship final against South Africa
Gauff turns tables on Swiatek before Fritz seals trophy for US
Americans defeat Poland to secure United Cup glory as Sabalenka wins Brisbane title
Rybakina speaks out in defence of suspended coach Vukov
Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has insisted that her former coach Stefano Vukov did not mistreat her during their coaching partnership after it was revealed that Vukov is under investigation by the Women's Tennis Association.
Rangers drop points on road again despite Igamane treble
Hamza Igamane's hat-trick was not enough to secure victory for Rangers as Rocky Bushiri's late header earned a dramatic 3-3 draw for in-form Hibernian at Easter Road.
