Ruben Amorim's turbulent tenure at Manchester United came to a sudden and costly end on Monday, 5 January 2026, with the Portuguese manager dismissed less than 24 hours after a fiery public outburst.
A Costly Departure for the Former Boss
The 40-year-old's exit was confirmed by the club in a brief statement, citing the need for a change with the team sitting sixth in the Premier League. However, the financial fallout for Amorim is significant. Due to the absence of a break clause in his contract, signed in November 2024, United are obligated to pay out his deal in full, amounting to just over £10 million.
Yet, Amorim will not receive that full sum. As outlined by OLBG, the substantial termination payment is subject to the UK's additional tax rate. This means nearly half of the £10 million settlement, more than £4 million, will be claimed by the UK treasury. Termination payments are typically exempt from National Insurance contributions for the employee, but Manchester United, as his former employer, faced an extra bill of around £1.5 million for their own contributions.
The Press Conference That Sealed His Fate
The swift decision followed Amorim's remarkable press conference after United's stalemate at Leeds United on Sunday. He publicly criticised the club's top figures, including Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox, challenging them to stop meddling and let him manage. This breakdown in relations, reported by The Athletic, proved the final straw for the Old Trafford hierarchy.
The club's statement acknowledged his contribution, notably leading the team to the UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao in May 2025. Darren Fletcher has been placed in temporary charge for the midweek fixture against Burnley.
Search for a Successor Begins
With Amorim's departure confirmed, the focus shifts to a permanent replacement. However, an appointment before the season's end is considered unlikely. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has emerged as a leading contender for the role, with other potential candidates including Kieran McKenna, Enzo Maresca, and Julian Nagelsmann.
The episode highlights the high-stakes, high-cost nature of top-flight football management, where a few ill-chosen words can result in a multi-million pound payday being dramatically reduced by the taxman.
