The Diary Of A CEO|25. Mai
Bruno Fernandes: Roy Keane Twisted My Words. They Offered Me £200M, I Said No.
In this interview, Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United, provides deep insights into his values, his career, and his unwavering loyalty to the club. The summary highlights the key themes of the conversation.
🧠 Mental Strength and Handling Criticism- Shaped by his father: Fernandes explains how his father taught him from a young age to always strive for improvement. Even after outstanding performances, he pointed out small mistakes. This upbringing has made him extremely resilient to criticism.
- Dealing with Roy Keane: Fernandes clarifies that he generally has no problem with criticism. However, what he cannot accept is when words are put in his mouth that he never said. He referred to Roy Keane's claim that he prioritizes individual assists over the team – a claim Fernandes firmly denies.
🔴 Loyalty to Manchester United"He can criticise me, tear me apart, say I'm not good enough. That's fine. What I don't like is when people lie about things."
- Rejected a £200M offer: Fernandes confirms he received a massive offer from the Middle East, reportedly worth a contract of around €230 million. He declined because he has not yet achieved his goals at United.
- The role of his wife: He made the decision together with his wife, who has been by his side since he was 17. She asked him if he had already achieved everything he set out to in his career – the answer was no.
- A dream come true: Joining United was the fulfillment of a childhood dream. He wants to lead the club back to the top.
- Humanity as a foundation: Fernandes emphasizes that respect and care for all club employees – from physios to the cleaning staff – are non-negotiable for him. He attributes this to his upbringing; his mother worked as a cleaner to support the family.
- Changing the team culture: He notes that the club has undergone a transformation in recent years. Moving away from star names that didn't fit the structure towards players with the right character. This is essential for success.
- Risk-taking on the pitch: Fernandes describes himself as a player who must take risks to create chances. He accepts that he often loses the ball, but the reward (goals) justifies the risk.
- Record Season: With 20 assists in the Premier League, he set a club record and equaled legends like Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. He attributes this to the improved team performance.
- Trust in Michael Carrick: Fernandes praises interim manager Carrick for his calm demeanor and clear principles. He gives the players the basic structure and responsibility to make their own decisions on the pitch.
- Future Goals: His biggest dreams are to win the Premier League and Champions League with United, and to win the World Cup with Portugal.
