Manchester: Ruben Amorim has been sacked by Manchester United after 14 months as their head coach. The Portuguese departs after a power struggle with the hierarchy over transfer policy, with Amorim demanding his colleagues in the recruitment department ‘do their job’ after Sunday’s draw at Leeds, APA reports, citing The Guardian.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Amorim believed United were prepared to back him in the January window should a major signing become available but then said last Friday: ‘We have no conversation to have any change in the squad.’ His relationship with the director of football, Jason Wilcox, has become strained, and Amorim made clear his frustration after the Leeds game, when he also said he would stay, at the longest, until his contract ends in 18 months.
Amorim expressed his discontent with his role at Manchester United, stating, ‘I came here to be the manager of Manchester United – not to be the coach of Manchester United,’ despite his official title being head coach. He further stated his intention to continue his role until replaced.
United acted swiftly on Monday, saying in a statement: ‘With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change. This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish. The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future.’
Amorim was informed of the January transfer policy by Wilcox, who reports to Omar Berrada, the chief executive. United hesitated to approve Amorim’s desired signings, as the players targeted for his preferred 3-4-3 formation may not align with the next head coach’s vision, leading to doubts over Amorim’s long-term fit.
The leadership of Berrada and Wilcox is upheld as best in class, with no head coach, including Amorim, able to surpass their authority. Amorim also suggested that external opinions had started to overshadow his within the club, stating after the Leeds match: ‘If people cannot handle the Gary Nevilles and the criticisms of everything, we need to change the club.’
United’s position is that Amorim was fully supported but dismissed due to a lack of progress. The club highlights the £250m spent since Amorim’s appointment as evidence of backing, marking United as one of the highest gross spenders in the Premier League. Amorim agreed with the summer strategy of signing three forwards instead of a midfielder.
Amorim was appointed on 1 November 2024 on a contract until June 2027, with a club option of an additional year. He oversaw United’s lowest Premier League finish – 15th, with 42 points – last season and lost the Europa League final. A net spend last summer of £165m, including the signings of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha, failed to spark a sustained improvement.
United faced a challenging start to the current season and were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Grimsby, a League Two club. Despite this, United’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe supported Amorim in October, suggesting he should be assessed after three years. A recent improvement in results placed them sixth in the table, only four points above 14th-placed Crystal Palace, and Amorim won only 15 of his 46 league games.
Amorim was committed to his tactical approach, centered around a back three, which brought him success at Sporting. However, his methods faced scrutiny throughout his tenure at United. The club is now searching for their seventh full-time manager or head coach since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013. Darren Fletcher will lead the team against Burnley on Wednesday.