Ruben Amorim has been dismissed as head coach of Manchester United, bringing a turbulent 14-month tenure at Old Trafford to an abrupt end. The Portuguese manager was informed of the decision in a meeting at the club's Carrington training ground on Monday morning.
The Final Straw and a Smiling Departure
Amorim's departure comes just hours after his outspoken comments following Sunday's Premier League draw at Leeds United. The club's hierarchy felt they had been backed into a corner by his post-match rant, leaving them with no alternative but to act.
In a stark contrast to the tension, Amorim and his wife, Maria Joao Diogo, were pictured leaving their Cheshire home later that afternoon wearing broad smiles. His dismissal triggers a substantial severance package, reported to be in the region of £12 million if sacked before November 1, though the final figure remains unclear.
A Clash of Vision and a Costly Stance
The seeds of the split were sown earlier. Daily Mail Sport understands the decision was taken by United's leadership last Friday, two days before the Leeds match. This followed a tense meeting with director of football Jason Wilcox after a disappointing 1-1 draw with bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Amorim was told that the squad, bolstered by £250 million of summer signings including Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo, was capable of playing more attacking football and deserved trust. The 40-year-old, however, defiantly reiterated his desire to be a 'manager' with broader control, not just a 'coach'.
His time in Manchester was marked by poor results, including the club's worst season in over 50 years and failure to qualify for Europe. He also became a figure of mockery when footage emerged of him using coaching magnets in the dugout during an embarrassing Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town in August.
Fletcher Steps In and the Search Begins
Former United midfielder and current Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher has been installed as caretaker manager. He will take charge for at least the next two matches: Wednesday's trip to Burnley and the FA Cup tie against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The club statement thanked Amorim for his contribution, notably leading the team to the UEFA Europa League final in May 2025, but stated the change was made to give the team the best chance of a high Premier League finish. United currently sit sixth.
The search for a permanent successor is now underway, with big names like Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti unlikely to be available until after the 2026 World Cup. The club's hierarchy, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe, believe the squad is flexible enough to adapt to a new system despite being assembled for Amorim's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.
