Manchester United have parted company with manager Ruben Amorim, the club confirmed in a statement on Monday morning. The Portuguese coach's departure comes just hours after he launched a stunning public critique of the club's leadership following a 1-1 draw with Leeds United.
The End of a Disappointing Reign
Ruben Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford has been brought to an abrupt end after less than 18 months in charge. He took the helm in November 2024 but oversaw the club's worst-ever Premier League finish last season. The campaign also ended in heartbreak as United were defeated by Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
The club's statement confirmed his exit with immediate effect. It also announced that Darren Fletcher will step in as interim manager for Wednesday's Premier League clash against Burnley at Old Trafford.
A Fiery Final Press Conference
The decision follows Amorim's remarkable post-match comments on Sunday. In a defiant press conference, he drew a clear distinction between being a 'manager' and a 'coach', and directly challenged the club's sporting director and scouting department.
"I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United," Amorim stated. "It's going to be like this for 18 months, or when the board decides to change... I'm not going to quit. I will do my job until another guy comes here to replace me."
He further insisted that other departments needed to "do their job" and suggested the club needed to change if it could not handle external criticism, notably mentioning pundit Gary Neville.
A Daunting Fixture List for the Interim Boss
Darren Fletcher, and whoever is appointed as the permanent successor, faces a formidable schedule. The immediate fixture list is as follows:
- Wednesday, January 7: Burnley (H) - Premier League
- Sunday, January 11: Brighton & Hove Albion (H) - FA Cup
- Saturday, January 17: Manchester City (H) - Premier League
- Sunday, January 25: Arsenal (A) - Premier League
- Saturday, February 1: Fulham (H) - Premier League
This run features crucial cup action and daunting league matches against title rivals, placing immense pressure on the squad during a period of significant instability.
The search for a new permanent manager now begins in earnest for the Old Trafford hierarchy. Amorim's departure underscores the ongoing turbulence at the club, with results and internal relations reaching a breaking point. The focus shifts to the caretaker stewardship of Darren Fletcher and whether he can steady the ship through a critical period of the season.
