Ruben Amorim has been handed a £10 million pay-off after being sacked as Manchester United head coach following just 14 months in charge. The Portuguese manager was dismissed on Monday, less than 24 hours after publicly criticising the club following Sunday's draw with Leeds United.
His departure brings the total cost of hiring and firing Amorim to approximately £27 million. United bought him out of his Sporting Lisbon contract for £8.3 million in winter 2024, paid an additional £900,000 for an early start, and awarded him a £6.5 million-a-year deal until 2027. The club will also compensate his five-man backroom team from Portugal.
Amorim leaves with a record of 25 wins from 63 games, overseeing United's lowest ever Premier League finish. The team currently sits sixth, three points off the top four, but recent performances, including home draws with West Ham and Wolves, fell below expectations. His preferred 3-4-3 formation failed to deliver consistent results.
Former player and Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher has been appointed caretaker manager for Wednesday's trip to Burnley. United plan to name an interim boss until the end of the season before appointing a permanent replacement in the summer.
Former club captain Gary Neville urged the club to end its experiments and appoint a manager who reflects Manchester United's DNA. 'The club has to find a manager who is willing to play fast, entertaining, attacking and aggressive football,' he told Sky Sports.
