Manchester United have officially parted ways with head coach Rúben Amorim, bringing an end to his 14-month spell at Old Trafford.
The decision was confirmed shortly after Sunday’s 1–1 draw against Leeds United, a result that left the club sitting sixth in the Premier League table and intensified scrutiny around the Portuguese manager’s position.
Amorim’s dismissal comes after a turbulent period marked by inconsistent performances and growing tension behind the scenes.
While United remain within reach of the European qualification places, the club’s hierarchy ultimately concluded that a change in leadership was necessary to maximize their chances of finishing the season as strongly as possible.
In the interim, Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher has been appointed as caretaker manager.
Fletcher will take charge of the first team beginning with Wednesday’s league fixture against Burnley, while the club begins the process of identifying a permanent replacement.
Statistically, Amorim’s tenure struggled to meet expectations. Across 63 matches in all competitions, he recorded 24 victories, a return that ranks as the third-lowest win rate of any permanent manager in Manchester United’s long and storied history.
Despite arriving with a strong reputation following his success at Sporting CP, Amorim was unable to consistently translate his philosophy into results in England.
Tensions between Amorim and the club’s leadership became increasingly evident in recent weeks.
Following the draw at Leeds, the former Sporting boss made pointed remarks during his post-match press conference, suggesting internal disagreements over his role and authority.
He emphasized that he had joined Manchester United to function as a “manager, not just a coach,” hinting at dissatisfaction with the club’s footballing structure and decision-making process.
Amorim also suggested at the time that he would likely depart at the end of his contract in 2027, though events have now accelerated his exit by 18 months.
According to reports from The Athletic, Amorim’s dismissal followed a complete breakdown in relationships behind the scenes.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox were heavily involved in the decision to terminate his contract.
As part of the agreement signed in November 2024, United are obligated to pay Amorim his full compensation package, adding another significant financial burden to the club.
This development represents yet another costly setback for minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
United only recently paid a reported £14.5 million in compensation to Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff after extending his contract and then dismissing him shortly afterward.
The financial implications of Amorim’s sacking further underline the instability that has plagued the club’s leadership structure in recent seasons.
Shortly after reports of Amorim’s departure surfaced, Manchester United released an official statement confirming the change.
The statement acknowledged that while the club currently sits sixth in the Premier League, the leadership “reluctantly” decided that a managerial change was necessary to give the team the best possible opportunity to achieve the highest attainable league finish.
United also expressed gratitude to Amorim for his service and wished him success in his future endeavors, while confirming Darren Fletcher’s temporary appointment.
As the search for a new head coach begins, Amorim’s departure marks another chapter in Manchester United’s ongoing struggle to find stability and direction at the top.
