When Ruben Amorim touched down in Manchester to take over as manager of one of football’s most storied clubs, it wasn’t just the task of reviving Manchester United’s fortunes that awaited him.
Like many of his predecessors, Amorim chose to begin his tenure by moving into the iconic five-star Lowry Hotel in Salford—a symbolic start for the Portuguese boss as he joins a long line of managers who began their Old Trafford journeys in similar style.
A Luxurious Beginning
The Lowry Hotel, with its art galleries, indulgent spa, and “slightly outrageous” presidential suites, has long been the temporary home of football royalty. Previous managers such as Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all resided there during their early days at the club.
Known for its privacy and proximity to Manchester’s bustling city centre, the Lowry offers the perfect retreat for new arrivals needing a base while they navigate the pressures of the Premier League.
Amorim’s decision to reside there echoes Jose Mourinho’s well-documented affection for the establishment. Mourinho famously stayed for his entire two-and-a-half-year tenure, accumulating a staggering bill of around £500,000.
Unlike Mourinho, however, Amorim is expected to seek a more permanent home in the coming months, as Man United aims to avoid the short-lived managerial stints that have defined recent years.
Following a Well-Trodden Path
The Lowry has seen many illustrious visitors from Old Trafford’s revolving door of managers. Van Gaal moved into an apartment in Cheshire shortly after staying at the Lowry, while Solskjaer initially rented his property to Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk before reclaiming it during his time at United. Even Erik ten Hag, Amorim’s immediate predecessor, opted to bypass the hotel entirely, choosing a penthouse before later settling in the leafy suburbs of Cheshire.
For Amorim, the Lowry offers a temporary respite as he begins the daunting task of rebuilding a faltering Manchester United side. Unlike those before him, Amorim faces the added challenge of unfamiliarity—he has openly admitted he is still getting to know his players and building relationships.
“I don’t know the players well, and we haven’t worked much together yet,” he recently told reporters. “We’re excited but also nervous about the games because you never know what’s going to happen.”
A Long-Term Home for Stability?
Where Amorim eventually decides to put down roots could signal his aspirations for a long-term stay at United. Sir Alex Ferguson, the club’s most successful manager, settled in Wilmslow, Cheshire, for nearly his entire 26-year reign, enjoying a family-friendly area populated by football stars. Ferguson’s mansion, with its iconic clan-tartan carpets and expansive grounds, became as much a part of his legacy as his 13 Premier League titles.
David Moyes, by contrast, lived further afield in Haighton House, a Grade II-listed estate near Preston, during his ill-fated 10-month stint as manager. The home’s seven bedrooms, private chapel, and tennis court reflected his managerial ambition, but it wasn’t enough to save him from the sack.
Amorim’s decision to follow the Lowry tradition could be an omen—or a coincidence. If he succeeds, perhaps his stay will lead to a more permanent address in Cheshire’s footballer belt. If not, it may serve as yet another chapter in the hotel’s rich history with the club.
A Manager’s Legacy Beyond the Pitch
While much is made of managerial tactics and team performances, the homes of Man United managers have often symbolised their legacy.
Whether it’s Mourinho’s steadfast presence at the Lowry, Ferguson’s family-first focus in Wilmslow, or Solskjaer’s ties to Alderley Edge, where they choose to live says as much about their outlook as their decisions on the touchline.
For Amorim, the challenge of rejuvenating the Red Devils after a turbulent period is immense. As he continues to adjust to life in England, the Portuguese manager has one more decision looming: where to call home. Will he follow in the footsteps of United legends who planted long-term roots, or will his tenure, like some before him, be as fleeting as his stay at the Lowry?
For now, the Lowry Hotel remains a fitting metaphor for Amorim’s position—a comfortable yet transitional starting point as he begins his quest to bring lasting success back to Old Trafford.
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