Manchester United have dismissed manager Ruben Amorim after just 14 months in charge, sparking an immediate search for his permanent successor at Old Trafford.
Amorim's Swift Departure and Interim Plans
The club confirmed the Portuguese coach's departure on Monday, 7th January 2026, with the team languishing in sixth place in the Premier League table. Former player Darren Fletcher has taken over as interim manager and will lead the side for their midweek fixture against Burnley at Turf Moor.
Speculation is already swirling that former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could make a sensational interim return until the summer while the club's hierarchy conducts a thorough search for a long-term appointment.
Joe Cole's Verdict and Glasner Endorsement
Former Chelsea and England midfielder Joe Cole has spoken out on the situation, expressing sympathy for Amorim but suggesting the change was necessary. "It was the right time," Cole stated in an interview with Paddy Power. "When he came into the club... I was never fully on board with that."
Cole also pointed the finger at United's ownership and football structure, stating the club "has been a mess for so many years now." He then identified Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner as a potentially ideal candidate to take the reins.
"Crystal Palace fans won't like me for saying this," Cole admitted, "but letting your manager go down to six months left on his contract is worrying for them. I think Oliver Glasner could be someone that could get Manchester United back on track if the people above him let him do his job."
The Crucial Need for United Unity
Cole emphasised that any new manager's success would hinge on a cohesive structure behind the scenes at Old Trafford. He questioned whether the necessary systems and relationships were in place for a revival, regardless of the individual in the dugout.
"You can have the best manager in the world and the best director of football in the world," Cole explained, "but if they don't work together, then it can't work." Glasner himself has already moved to dismiss the early links to the United job when questioned at a press conference.
The search for Amorim's successor is now underway, with the club under significant pressure to make an appointment that can restore stability and challenge for top honours after another period of turbulence.
