Manchester United has announced the dismissal of its coach, Ruben Amorim, this Monday morning. The news comes less than 24 hours after Amorim gave a press conference after the 1-1 draw against Leeds United, in which he urged the club’s directors to “do their job”.
Darren Fletcher, coach of the under-18 team, will temporarily take charge for the match against Burnley on Wednesday.
Sources close to the club indicate that a succession plan is being drawn up, with the possibility of appointing an interim coach until the end of the season before making a permanent appointment in the summer.
Amorim was informed of his dismissal in person on Monday at the Carrington facilities by football director Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada.
The club denies that the decision is due to a breakdown in Amorim’s relationship with Wilcox, but rather to the lack of “signs of evolution and progress” according to the management.
According to sources, Amorim did not react well to the conversation about his preferred 3-4-3 system and the potential evolution of the team’s playing style.
After the meeting, Amorim gave a tense press conference before quickly leaving the Carrington training facilities. Subsequently, he canceled a scheduled television interview citing “personal reasons”, and defender Lisandro Martínez had to replace him.
Amorim’s response was considered “too emotional” by the club’s directors, indicating a breakdown in his relationship with Wilcox.
This was followed by a tense press conference after the 1-1 draw with Leeds, where the Portuguese coach demanded to be “the manager, not the coach” and asked Wilcox to “do his job”.
The club insists that the decision to dismiss Amorim was not made solely due to internal tensions, but because the club “has not seen enough signs of evolution or progress” on the field.
However, it’s hard not to relate the timing of the decision to Amorim’s press conference at Elland Road, particularly the criticisms directed at the club and Wilcox.In a press conference on Friday before the match against Leeds, the Portuguese coach revealed his frustration at the lack of movement in the January transfer market.
Club sources claim that Amorim was “fully aligned” with their signing plan and that the decision was made to “give a capable and committed team the best chance of success.”
Amorim leaves United after 14 turbulent months, after succeeding Erik ten Hag in November 2024. He won 24 of the 63 matches he managed and achieved only 15 victories in the Premier League.
The Manchester United is currently in sixth position in the Premier League, with eight wins in 20 matches this season.
The club thanks Ruben for his contribution and wishes him the best for the future.
