Manchester United have officially brought an end to Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Old Trafford following a serious breakdown in relations sparked by the manager’s outspoken public comments.
The Portuguese coach came under intense pressure after openly criticising the club’s leadership structure, remarks that echoed the controversy which recently led to Enzo Maresca’s dismissal at Chelsea. Amorim’s situation escalated when he rejected the “head coach” title, insisting instead on being recognised as Manchester United’s manager, while publicly urging senior executives to “do their jobs.”
His comments were widely interpreted as a direct attack on the club’s recruitment framework, including sporting director Jason Wilcox and the scouting department. The remarks triggered urgent internal discussions, and following a series of emergency meetings, United’s hierarchy concluded that the working relationship had become unsustainable.
In a brief statement confirming the decision, the club cited concerns over performance and long-term direction.
“With the team currently sixth in the Premier League, the club believes a managerial change offers the best chance of finishing the season strongly,” the statement read. “We thank Ruben Amorim for his service and wish him success in the future.”
Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, who currently oversees the club’s U18 side, has been placed in charge on an interim basis. He will begin his spell on the touchline with Wednesday’s league fixture against Burnley.
Growing Rift Behind the Scenes
Behind the scenes, tensions between Amorim and the club had reportedly been building for several months. The former Sporting CP boss was increasingly frustrated by what he viewed as a lack of commitment to his long-term vision, particularly his insistence on deploying a 3-4-2-1 tactical system.
Those frustrations became public shortly after reports emerged that United’s head of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, had questioned Amorim’s tactical approach in a private WhatsApp group involving senior decision-makers at the club.
Transfer strategy proved to be another major flashpoint. Amorim was said to be unhappy with indications that the club would avoid significant reinforcements during the January transfer window. He had reportedly pushed for the signing of a top-class central midfielder, a wing-back, a striker, and a centre-back to properly execute his system.
Club executives, however, were reluctant to sanction what they viewed as rushed recruitment decisions, citing previous seasons where short-term fixes had created longer-term structural problems.
According to Sky Sports News, disagreements also extended to Amorim’s long-term tactical outlook, with increasing pressure on him to move away from a formation that had failed to deliver consistent results.
Contract and Compensation
Amorim’s contract was due to run until the summer of 2027 and is understood to contain no exit clause, meaning Manchester United are expected to pay out the remainder of his deal.
For now, attention turns to Darren Fletcher as the club seeks stability and attempts to salvage its Premier League campaign following another turbulent chapter at Old Trafford.
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