Ruben Amorim’s position as Manchester United head coach is hanging in the balance, with a strained relationship with football director Jason Wilcox cited as a key factor in an increasingly unpredictable situation at Old Trafford.
The 40-year-old Portuguese had been led to believe the club would back him in the January transfer window should a major signing become available, but that support has since been withdrawn. It is understood Amorim was informed of the change on the authority of Wilcox, who reports to chief executive Omar Berrada.
While Sir Jim Ratcliffe previously stated Amorim should be given three years to prove his worth, there are now reservations within the hierarchy about the coach. These pre-dated Sunday’s fiery press conference after the 1-1 draw with Leeds, where Amorim insisted he is the manager, not merely the coach, and suggested he might “move on” when his contract expires in 18 months.
The Guardian reported in mid-December that the hierarchy were reluctant to sell Kobbie Mainoo, who has fallen out of favour under Amorim. The 20-year-old midfielder, currently injured, is yet to start a Premier League match this season, but the club believe he could still convince Amorim or a future head coach of his worth.
Amorim refused to clarify previous comments made on Christmas Eve, when he admitted that a perfect 3-4-3 system would require significant spending and time, adding he was starting to understand that would not happen. On Friday he declined to say whether Wilcox had spoken to him about a revised budget.
After the Leeds match, Amorim pointedly told the scouting department and sporting director to “do their job”. He said: “I came here to be the manager of Manchester United – not to be the coach of Manchester United. It’s going to be like this for 18 months or until the board decide to change. I’m not going to quit.” He also criticised external pundits like Gary Neville, saying the club itself needs to change if it cannot handle criticism.
