Manchester United have parted ways with manager Ruben Amorim, marking the sixth failed attempt to find a long-term successor to the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. The Portuguese coach was relieved of his duties on Monday, January 5, 2026, despite the club sitting in sixth place in the Premier League.
The Impossible Job: Replacing Sir Alex Ferguson
The challenge of following Sir Alex Ferguson has proven insurmountable for every appointment since the Scot's retirement in 2013. Ferguson's 27-year reign yielded an astonishing 13 Premier League titles, 19 domestic cups, and two Champions League trophies, setting a benchmark that has haunted his successors.
Amorim's dismissal continues a troubling pattern of short tenures and unmet expectations at Old Trafford. His first season concluded with a disappointing 15th-place finish, and his second campaign was cut short this week.
A Decade of Disappointment: The Post-Ferguson Roll Call
The list of managers who have tried and failed to emulate Ferguson's success is now a long one. David Moyes, handpicked by Ferguson himself, was the first to falter, lasting less than a year before his sacking.
He was followed by the experienced Louis van Gaal, who managed to win the FA Cup in 2016 but was deemed insufficiently successful. Next came the combustible Jose Mourinho, who delivered a Europa League title, a League Cup, and the Community Shield but left under a cloud in December 2018.
Club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer then took the helm, stabilising the team but ultimately leaving in November 2021 without any silverware. Erik ten Hag followed, securing a League Cup and an FA Cup, but a poor start to the 2024/25 season led to his dismissal in October 2024.
What Next for Manchester United?
Following Amorim's exit, Darren Fletcher has been placed in temporary charge. He will lead the team for their match against Burnley on Wednesday, January 7, and it is understood the club may give him more than just one game as they deliberate over a permanent solution.
The club's hierarchy now faces the familiar and daunting task of identifying a seventh permanent manager in just over twelve years, a search that has so far only highlighted the unique and enduring shadow cast by Sir Alex Ferguson.
