Ruben Amorim was sacked as Manchester United head coach on Monday morning after 14 months in charge, with the club appointing Darren Fletcher as interim head coach. Fletcher, a former United midfielder and current under-18s coach, will lead the side at Burnley on Wednesday and could also oversee Sunday's FA Cup tie against Brighton.
Amorim's departure follows a power struggle with the hierarchy over transfer policy. He had demanded that recruitment staff "do their job" after Sunday's draw at Leeds. United are undecided on whether to appoint a permanent head coach for the remainder of the season or wait until the summer. The process will be led by director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada.
Among the names being considered are Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner, Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola and Enzo Maresca, who is unemployed. Thomas Tuchel came close to replacing Erik ten Hag in 2024 but is expected to lead England at the World Cup, which may rule him out. Outside prospects include Gareth Southgate, Mauricio Pochettino and Xavi, though the former Barcelona coach's limited English could count against him.
Amorim's frustration over the club's structure was a key factor. He believed United would back him in the January transfer window but later said "we have no conversation to have any change in the squad." After the Leeds game he said: "I came here to be the manager of Manchester United – not to be the coach." The club also pointed to his lack of adaptability and comments about academy players as concerns.
United said in a statement: "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." Amorim oversaw the club's lowest Premier League finish of 15th last season and lost the Europa League final to Spurs before being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Grimsby this term.
