Ruben Amorim has been sacked as Manchester United’s head coach with immediate effect following an outspoken rant at club executives after Sunday’s draw with Leeds.
The decision to dismiss Ruben Amorim was taken by United’s hierarchy on Friday, two days before the trip to Elland Road.
Ruben Amorim Sacked as Manchester United Head Coach After Leeds Draw
The verdict followed a meeting between Amorim and the club’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, held after last Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against bottom-placed Wolves — a match in which Amorim reverted to his preferred system of three central defenders.
Sources indicate Amorim was told that United’s squad, strengthened by £250 million of summer recruitment, was good enough to warrant greater trust and capable of playing more attacking football. However, the message failed to land and instead prompted a furious response from the Portuguese coach.
Former United midfielder and current Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher has been appointed caretaker manager and will take charge for Wednesday’s trip to Burnley.
Ruben Amorim was informed of the decision at Carrington on Monday morning, with the club’s leadership group of players also briefed. The 40-year-old was due £12 million in compensation if dismissed before November 1, although the exact terms of his severance package remain unclear.
Amorim departs after 14 turbulent months at Old Trafford, a spell that included United’s worst season in more than 50 years and a failure to qualify for European competition for only the second time in 35 years. He leaves the club sitting sixth in the Premier League.
The Portuguese coach arrived from Sporting Lisbon in November 2024, but a poor run of results saw him become a figure of ridicule, particularly after footage emerged of him using coaching magnets in the dugout during United’s Carabao Cup second-round defeat to Grimsby Town in August.
In a statement, the club said:
“Ruben Amorim has departed his role as head coach of Manchester United.
“Ruben was appointed in November 2024 and led the team to a UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao in May.
“With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly decided that now is the right time to make a change to give the team the best possible opportunity to achieve the highest league finish.
“The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution and wishes him well for the future. Darren Fletcher will take charge of the team against Burnley on Wednesday.”
