Manchester United has sacked Head Coach Ruben Amorim following a 14-month tenure marked by a public power struggle over transfer policy and the club’s worst-ever Premier League finish.
The decision came one day after a 1-1 draw at Leeds United, where Amorim criticized the club’s recruitment department and suggested he would not remain beyond his current contract. Despite the team sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club hierarchy cited a lack of progress as the primary reason for the change.
Manchester United issued a statement Monday morning confirming the move.
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, the club said. This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish.
The club appointed Darren Fletcher to take charge of the team for Wednesday’s match against Burnley.
Amorim’s departure follows months of reported tension with director of football Jason Wilcox. The friction peaked Friday when Amorim claimed he was told the squad would not be reinforced during the January transfer window. Following the Leeds match, the 40-year-old Portuguese coach expressed frustration over his lack of authority.
I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach, Amorim said Sunday. I know my name is not Tuchel, Mourinho or Conte, but I am the manager.
Club leadership reportedly lost confidence in Amorim’s long-term vision, specifically his insistence on a 3-4-3 tactical system. Officials were reluctant to fund transfers for a specific formation that might not suit a future successor.
United officials noted that Amorim received significant financial backing, with approximately 250 million pounds spent on players since his arrival in November 2024. Last summer alone, the club spent 165 million pounds on forwards Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
Amorim’s tenure was statistically difficult. He led the team to a 15th-place finish last season with 42 points and lost the Europa League final. This season included an early exit from the Carabao Cup at the hands of Grimsby Town, a fourth-tier club. Overall, Amorim won 15 of his 46 league matches.
The search for a replacement begins immediately. This will be Manchester United’s seventh permanent appointment since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.