Man United have sacked Ruben Amorim after 14 months at Old Trafford following one win from their last five games in the Premier League and a recent outburst.
There was a sense that Amorim was biding his time at Man United after winning only 25 of his 63 games in charge, but he has now been stood down, perhaps to the disappointment of Liverpool fans.
According to the Athletic‘s David Ornstein, the decision was reached by the club’s hierarchy after a “breakdown in relations behind the scenes.”
Amorim arrived at Old Trafford in November 2024, months after he was linked to Liverpool’s vacancy, and was under pressure from the start due to his tactical stubbornness, and he never recovered.
Notably, Ornstein notes that Sir Jim Ratcliffe will not be saving any extra pennies by parting ways with his head coach as there was no discounted exit clause in his contract.
It means United “will have to pay up his contract in full,” which was due to run until 2027 – their bill for settling the contracts of former managers has been astonishing!
Man United‘s statement said that they “reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change,” with this to give the team the best chance of finishing higher in the table.
They also confirmed Darren Fletcher will take charge of their Premier League game against Burnley on Wednesday. They’re sixth in the table, three points behind Liverpool.
Ruben Amorim’s Leeds outburst leads to sacking
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 5, 2025: Manchester United's manager Ruben Amorim walks to shake hands with Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Amorim’s position became untenable in the eyes of many after his comments following his side’s 1-1 draw at Leeds on Sunday, where he insisted he was the “manager,” and not the “coach.”
“It’s going to be like this for 18 months or when the board decide to change,” Amorim said. “That was my point, I want to finish with that.
“I’m not going to quit. I will do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me.”
That time has now come and Liverpool’s hierarchy will perhaps be looking on in interest as United search for a replacement, with Arne Slot‘s position far from guaranteed.
Amorim oversaw United’s worst-ever Premier League season in his debut campaign, finishing 15th, and failed to secure European football for this season, before overseeing their worst start to a campaign since 1992/93.
Liverpool are not due to face Man United at Old Trafford until May 2, by which point they could have a new permanent manager at the helm.