Explosive Press Conference Proves Final Straw as Portuguese Manager Exits Old Trafford Ruben amorim news
Ruben Amorim was After 14 Turbulent Months
Manchester United have dismissed head coach Ruben Amorim after just 14 months in charge, with the club announcing the decision on Monday morning, less than 24 hours after Amorim’s stunning press conference following a 1-1 draw with Leeds United.
The dismissal brings an abrupt end to what had been a rocky tenure for the 40-year-old Portuguese manager, who arrived at Old Trafford in November 2024 with high hopes of reviving the struggling club.
The Breaking Point of Ruben amorim
Amorim’s incendiary press conference after the Leeds game appears to have been the catalyst for his departure, as he suggested tension behind the scenes and repeatedly indicated he would leave when his contract ran out in June 2027. In those comments, he insisted: “I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United”, drawing a sharp distinction between the roles and hinting at frustration over his level of control.
The manager also pointedly told the club’s recruitment team to “do their job,” comments that club officials reportedly found stunning and viewed as an ultimatum.
Behind-the-Scenes Tensions
According to Sky Sports, Amorim had a scheduled meeting with director of football Jason Wilcox on Friday, where the team’s tactical approach was discussed, and United’s bosses felt Amorim’s response at that meeting was very negative and emotional.
Club sources indicated that Amorim’s refusal to adapt and evolve his preferred 3-4-3 system led to a breakdown in confidence. The rigid adherence to his tactical philosophy, despite mixed results, became a point of contention with the club’s hierarchy.
The Numbers Tell a Grim Story
Amorim finishes with the worst win ratio (32%) and the worst goals conceded per game (1.53) in the Premier League era of any Manchester United manager. Over 63 matches in all competitions, he won just 24 games while losing 21, leaving United sixth in the Premier League table.
The club currently sits only three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool in the Champions League qualification places, but with just one win from their last five fixtures, the momentum had clearly stalled.
From Promise to Disappointment
Amorim arrived at United with a glowing reputation after his successful spell at Sporting CP in Portugal. He promised to implement his distinct style of play and even warned fans early on that things would get worse before they got better.
However, patience wore thin after the team finished 15th last season and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham. Despite having a full preseason to work with the squad this year, improvement remained elusive.
As recently as October, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe had spoken of giving Amorim three years to prove himself, but relationships deteriorated rapidly in recent months, particularly over transfer policy and tactical flexibility.
What’s Next?
Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher is set to take charge of United’s trip to Burnley on Wednesday, though he has limited senior coaching experience. Sources suggest the club is leaning toward naming an interim boss until the end of the season before making a permanent appointment in the summer.
In their official statement, Manchester United said: “The club’s leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change. This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish”.
For Amorim, despite the disappointing end, his technical abilities as a manager mean he will likely be in demand elsewhere in European football. For Manchester United, the search for stability continues—this marks their seventh permanent managerial change in less than 13 years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.