Ruben Amorim vs Nuno Espirito Santo

Ruben Amorim vs Nuno Espirito Santo Head to Head: Which Portuguese Manager Has Better Records?

Basil Benoy

Published - Dec 04, 2025, 06:11 PM

4 min

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Ruben Amorim vs Nuno Espirito Santo Head to Head

Summary

Ruben Amorim and Nuno Espírito Santo, two highly regarded Portuguese managers, meet for the first time this season as Manchester United face West Ham, with both clubs seeking momentum after difficult starts.
While Amorim’s United sit mid-table, Nuno’s West Ham are in the relegation zone, making this head-to-head clash crucial as both managers aim to turn their seasons around.

Portugal has been renowned for producing world-class managers ever since the inception of the sport in the country. Portuguese managers have made their mark domestically and worldwide, with names like one of the most decorated managers Jose Mourinho, Jorge Jesus and Fernando Santos praised for their tactical innovation and success. Among them are two managers who have risen through the ranks and cemented their place in world football: Rúben Amorim and Nuno Espírito Santo.

The two managers will face off against each other for the first time this season as Ruben Amorim Man United takes on Nuno Espirito Santo West Ham. Ruben Amorim Man Utd has got off to a decent start, currently 9th in the league table. On the other hand, Nuno Espirito Santo West Ham has a disastrous start to the season, with the team currently in the relegation zone.

The matchup is essential for both sides to create momentum after rough starts. Let’s take a deep dive into the Ruben Amorim vs Nuno Espirito Santo head to head, Ruben Amorim records, Nuno Espirito Santo records and much more.

Ruben Amorim vs Nuno Espirito Santo Head to Head

Ruben Amorim vs Nuno Espirito Santo h2h record is surprisingly one-sided. They have only faced each other twice, with Nuno Espirito Santo holding a clear advantage. In the Ruben Amorim vs Nuno Espirito Santo head to head matchup, Nuno Espirito Santo records show 2 wins, while Ruben Amorim records show 2 losses.
Across the two matches, Nuno Espirito Santo records show 4 goals scored against Ruben Amorim Man Utd, when he was the manager at Nottingham Forest. He managed 2-3 and 1-0 wins in the 2024/25 Premier League season.

Ruben Amorim vs Nuno Espirito Santo Head to Head History

Ruben Amorim vs Nuno Espirito Santo head to head encounter is one of the upcoming Portugal’s biggest manager rivalries. The two managers faced each other twice in the 2024/25 Premier League season, with Nuno Espirito Santo, who was the manager of Nottingham Forest at that time, winning both matches.

Their first matchup resulted in a 2-3 win for Nottingham Forest, making it their first victory at Old Trafford since 1994. In the reverse fixture, Nottingham Forest won 1-0, with it being the second ever league double for the side against Manchester United, after the 1991-92 season.
The two managers are defined by their distinctive playing styles. Ruben Amorim Man Utd plays a 3-back formation, emphasising possession and intensity. On the other hand, Nuno Espirito Santo West Ham plays pragmatic football, with the team looking to strike at transition.

Ruben Amorim vs Nuno Espirito Santo Trophies

The battle for trophies adds extra fuel to the Ruben Amorim vs Nuno Espirito Santo rivalry. Ruben Amorim has managed to win six trophies, which he won during his time as the manager of Sporting CP. He managed to win the two Primeira Liga titles, three Taça da Liga titles, and one Supertaca Candido de Oliveira title.
On the other hand, Nuno Espirito Santo has managed to win three trophies in his career. He managed to win the EFL Championship with Wolves and the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ittihad, and the King's Cup during his time at Al-Ittihad.