 "Ruben Amorim had joined Manchester United as their manager from Sporting CP in November 2024, succeeding Erik ten Hag. Reuters")
Ruben Amorim was sacked as Manchester United manager on Monday after just 14 months in charge of the iconic club, with his team currently at the sixth spot on the Premier League table. The decision comes just two days after the Red Devils were held to a 1-1 draw by Leeds United at Elland Road.
Amorim’s abrupt exit comes amid reports of tensions between him and the club’s hierarchy, including director of football Jason Wilcox. In an explosive press conference after the draw against Leeds , Amorim had questioned the support that was being provided to him while claiming he deserved more power and authority than what was granted to him by the management.
According to Sky Sports, the Portuguese manager – who had succeeded Erik Ten Hag in November 2024 – was reportedly informed of his removal from the post following a meeting with Wilcox and United chief executive Omar Berrada on Monday. Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, who currently is in charge of the club’s U-18s team, takes over as the interim boss ahead of Wednesday’s away game against Burnley.
United ‘relucantly’ fire Amorim as manager
In an official statement released by the club on Wednesday, United claimed they had “reluctantly” decided to part ways with the 40-year-old in order to maximise their chances of securing the “highest possible finish” this season.
“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,” United said in a statement posted on their website.
Amorim’s spell at United thus lasted 63 matches, with United winning 24 of those games – meaning that the Portuguese manager signs off with a win ratio of just 38 per cent. The last of those wins came in the form of a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United at the Old Trafford.
He had been retained last summer despite the club finishing a lowly 15th on the Premier League table – their worst performance in five decades. The club management would later splurge more than £200 million on transfers ahead of the current season, giving Amorim the opportunity to rebuild the squad as per his preferences.
Though United have shown improvement compared to where they were last year or even at the time of Dutch manager ten Hag’s exit, getting close to the top-four multiple times this season, Amorim appears to not have met the board’s expectations.
Amorim is the second high-profile manager to get fired in the new year, with Enzo Maresca having parted ways with Chelsea on 1 January after 18 months in charge. The Italian had also left Stamford Bridge with the Blues at the sixth spot on the table, with the club later climbing to fifth after holding Manchester City to a draw at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.