Who is the glamorous wife supporting Manchester United's Ruben Amorim?

by · Mail Online

Switching Lisbon for Northern England promises to be a big move for Ruben Amorim in his new role as Manchester United's manager - but he can count on having the full support of his wife, Maria Joao Diogo. 

It won't be the first time that the glamorous spouse has moved her whole world for her husband; the couple uplifted their life to the Middle East in 2015, after Amorim joined Qatari side Al-Wakrah.

Maria had forged her own successful career while Amorim was carving out his path in football, achieving a degree in telecommunications engineering before setting up her own interior design business, Dois Tons. 

She decided to temporarily leave her career behind to join Amorim in the Middle East, and now, after relocating to Portugal, Maria will no doubt once again be following her husband as he sets up home in the UK.

Amorim, who is widely regarded as one of Europe's top coaches, was confirmed as the man to succeed Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford back 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 reportedly already started house hunting.

But his family, who keep themselves out of the spotlight, have apparently remained in Portugal for now while he stays at a hotel in the Northern city, reported Manchester Evening News on Monday.

Amorim and Maria are thought to have first crossed paths during his time as a football player at Portuguese side Benfica before marrying in 2013, in Coimbra, in front of around 160 family members and friends, according to The Mirror

Ruben Amorim married Maria Joao Diogo (right) in 2013 and she temporarily gave up her career for him

Guests at the special occasion included several famous footballers, who are all related to the bride. 

Portuguese former professional football player Luis Filipe, who played for Benfica, Sporting, Braga, is married to Maria's sister Ines, while former PSG sporting director Antero Henrique is her sibling Daniela Diogo's husband.

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But Maria's football connections don't stop there - since her business partner and close friend, Raquel Gomes, is married to former footballer Hugo Viana, who will become Manchester City's director of football next season.

Maria and Raquel founded the Dois Tons interior design firm together. The company's mission statement is to 'create spaces with a unique identity', according to The Telegraph.

It's unclear if Amorim's wife will continue her role in the firm while living in Manchester.

In 2015, she decided to temporarily leave her career behind to join Amorim in the Middle East, after he opted to leave the club he supported as a boy, Benfica, to join Qatari side Al-Wakrah.

Amorim has spoken fondly of their time together in Qatar, but conceded it wasn't always plain sailing for the couple.

'I had never played abroad, I had travelled abroad, but I hadn't played,' he explained.

Maria is a successful interior designer in her own right, but has made big sacrifices to support her husband
Maria (left) set up her interior design company, but left it behind to join Amorim in Qatar

'Qatar, to live in, for the family, is a spectacular country. People have no idea of ​​the quality of life you have in Qatar. It is very family-oriented... 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. She asked me what kind of clothes I could take, where we could live, if it was traditional or not. 

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'I told her to take a certain type of clothing and she came there and said to me: "Ruben, I didn't bring 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 is tasked with resurrecting United's season and sorting through the chaos left by Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman was sacked last month.

The Portuguese has become one of Europe's most sought after managers having guided Sporting Lisbon to two top-flight Portuguese titles - ending the club's near 20-year wait - and is the only head coach in Europe's top leagues to oversee a 100 per cent winning start to the season.

Now, Amorim has revealed why he decided to join United despite previously revealing other teams had tried to court him.

Amorim and Maria are thought to have first crossed paths during his time as a football player at Portuguese side Benfica before marrying in 2013
Ruben Amorim is seen giving 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, everybody knows Manchester United. 

'But I feel the connection with the people in the club and that is very important for me because I want to work with people that I like and I feel a connection. 

'The second point is the history of this club. And also the moment I think all the people are hungry for success and I feel that this is the place that I want to be also because of that, because you can be part of something special, not just one more. And that is something that I really like,' he added.

Amorim's arrival has been hailed by United supporters, but he now must deliver the results and positive attacking play that he achieved success with in Lisbon and joins an environment in massively contrasting circumstances.

Amorim has won two league titles at Sporting Lisbon. Amorim pictured with staff as they celebrate winning the Portuguese SuperCup in 2021
Amorim has never coached abroad, but seems to have everything in place to be a success at United

He is United's seventh permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and will attempt to build on the positive foundations left by interim boss Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who Amorim decided against integrating into his backroom team.

However, United currently sit 13th in the Premier League standings following a dismal start to the new season and Amorim's immediate job at hand is pushing his squad up the table. 

The former player will have to wait until Thursday November 28 to get his first real taste of Old Trafford when United host Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League before entertaining Everton in the Premier League just three days later.