Manchester United have terminated the contract of head coach Ruben Amorim, bringing a tumultuous 14-month tenure to an abrupt end. The decision, confirmed on Monday the 5th of January 2026, follows a series of incendiary public remarks made by the Portuguese manager targeting his own players and hinting at discord with the club's decision-makers.
A Reign Defined by Public Criticism
The final straw appears to have been Amorim's comments after Sunday's 1-1 draw away to Leeds United. In what would be his last post-match interview, he drew a stark line between being a 'manager' and a 'coach', implicitly criticising the club's structure and those above him. "I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United," he stated, adding he would only leave "when the board decides to change."
This was not an isolated incident. Amorim's propensity for publicly blaming his squad was a recurring theme. In August 2025, after a humiliating Carabao Cup defeat to lower-league Grimsby Town, he refused to apologise for saying his team looked "completely lost". In a remarkable admission, he told the media, "sometimes I hate my players." He defended his confrontational style, insisting, "I'm not going to be like that," in reference to being more measured with the press.
Fractured Relationships and a Disappointing League Position
Reports, including from The Guardian, suggest Amorim's relationship with director of football Jason Wilcox had severely deteriorated, becoming a major factor in the dismissal. The club's official statement indicated the sacking was made to secure "the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish."
At the time of his departure, Manchester United sat sixth in the Premier League table, three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool after 20 games. While Champions League qualification remained mathematically possible, the board clearly lost faith in Amorim's ability to lead the charge.
No One Was Spared from Amorim's Wrath
Amorim's criticisms were not reserved for senior professionals. In December, he took aim at the club's academy talents, Chido Obi and Harry Amass, speaking of a "feeling of entitlement" within the club. He argued that both the players and the club itself "sometimes forget who we are." This echoed comments he made almost a year prior, in January 2025, when he suggested his squad might be the worst in the club's storied history.
The 39-year-old former Sporting CP boss, who was appointed in late 2024, ultimately proved to be his own worst enemy. His repeated decision to air grievances and levy blame through the media, rather than internally, created an unsustainable environment at Old Trafford. The club has now begun its search for a successor to steady the ship and salvage their Premier League campaign.
