Ruben Amorim on Manchester United's UEFA Europa League final against Tottenham

Hired mid-season to replace Erik ten Hag as Manchester United boss, Ruben Amorim has had a tough introduction to English football, but has consistently raised his side when it comes to the UEFA Europa League.

Now the 40-year-old is looking to lift United one more time as they take on Tottenham in the final in Bilbao, with pride – and a UEFA Champions League place – at stake.

On his coaching inspirations

I have many. I was very influenced by a lot of people. I always watched a lot of football and that's where I learned the most. The influence of coach Jorge Jesus, who already has the Dutch influence. Then, [Johan] Cruyff as well. I used to watch a lot of Italian football when I was a kid. Playing with three at the back comes from Cruyff's philosophy. Then, together with the Italian way of defending, with a first line of defence, and a second line. It's a combination of different types of football.

A lot of the things I did at Sporting, like getting players like Nuno Santos, Pote [Pedro Gonçalves], all those players – I was emulating what [Jose] Mourinho did at Porto. I'm the kind of person who likes to create bonds. I think you can handle groups better that way than being distant. That's also a way Mourinho influenced me. He brought that into football – a bond. The tricks he created in order to defy those who he needed to defy, to help those he needed to help. I think every coach has learned a lot from Mourinho.

On man management

I try to be fair and I don't go looking for difficult decisions or confrontation – but I don't run away from them. That's how I am – direct. I try to take what I liked in a coach when I was a player, and I think that honesty is essential. And when you manage a club like this, you need to know how to make difficult decisions because there is no-one else to take them. So, you need to be able to take difficult decisions but also explain every step of that decision.

I try to find a connection with [my players]. You don't have anything if there's no connection between human beings. I am not cold [with them]. I know how to keep things separate. I can be a different person away from the pitch and help them. I'll always be a friend so to speak, but when it's time to work, I'm completely different, and things don't stop me taking difficult decisions because I'm able to be honest. I can be their friend, but if I have to, I'll take difficult decisions; I'll leave players out; I'll let them go.

On facing Tottenham in the final

Regardless of the result, the fact that we've played Tottenham this season helps me to prepare, and I can help my players. It will be very tough. We're not going to win just through physicality. For example, against Real Sociedad [de Fútbol], we knew that they were very good technically, they have a very dynamic style, but I knew that by being physical, it would take us to a place where we would be more comfortable. In this case, we don't have that [advantage], but we will be ready for that.

On what it would mean to win

I think it will have an impact on the fans – and when I say, 'the fans', I mean our fans – because they need this win, because they will look at the coach in a different way, because it would mean Champions League football [next season].

[Playing with Benfica in the 2014 Europa League final] was obviously a very special moment. I remember our preparations during the week, with all the interviews. When I try to remember specific moments from the game, I can't [his side lost to Sevilla on penalties]. What I know is that I didn't take anything from it, anything. I can't ever say that I was a finalist. I don't want to say it. These games have to be won, and if you don't, there is nothing left but sadness.