By HAN News Desk
MANCHESTER — Manchester United have sacked head coach Ruben Amorim after just 14 months in charge, following mounting tensions with the club’s hierarchy over transfer policy and concerns about the team’s long-term direction.
The Portuguese coach departs after a public power struggle with United’s recruitment department, which intensified following Sunday’s draw at Leeds. Amorim had openly questioned the club’s transfer strategy, saying his colleagues in recruitment needed to “do their job,” remarks that highlighted a growing rift behind the scenes.
Amorim had believed United would support him in the January transfer window if a major signing became available, but later acknowledged that no discussions had taken place about strengthening the squad. His relationship with director of football Jason Wilcox reportedly deteriorated, with Wilcox overseeing transfer policy under chief executive Omar Berrada.
After the Leeds match, Amorim publicly voiced his frustration, insisting he had been hired to manage Manchester United rather than merely coach the team. He also said he would remain in his role until the end of his contract unless the board decided otherwise.
United moved swiftly on Monday, confirming his dismissal in a statement. “With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly concluded that now is the right time to make a change,” the club said, adding that the decision was made to maximize the team’s league finish.
The club believes Amorim was fully backed but removed due to a lack of sustained progress. United were also reluctant to approve signings tailored to Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 system, amid doubts that he represented a long-term solution.
Appointed in November 2024 on a contract running to June 2027, Amorim oversaw United’s lowest-ever Premier League finish last season — 15th with 42 points — and a defeat in the Europa League final. Despite a net summer spend of £165 million, including the signings of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, results failed to significantly improve.
This season, United were eliminated early from the Carabao Cup by League Two side Grimsby and have won just 15 of Amorim’s 46 league matches. Although co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe had publicly backed the coach in October, United remain only four points above 14th place despite climbing to sixth.
Amorim’s tactical rigidity, built around a back-three system that brought success at Sporting, drew sustained criticism during his tenure. United are now searching for their seventh permanent manager or head coach since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Former midfielder Darren Fletcher will take charge on an interim basis for Wednesday’s match against Burnley.
