Manchester United Part Ways with Amorim After 14 Months

omidbasir- Ruben Amorim has been relieved of his duties as manager of Manchester United after just 14 months at the helm. This decision comes on the heels of a contentious 1-1 draw against Leeds, during which Amorim publicly criticized the club’s board. Reports suggest that tensions had been escalating for weeks, particularly regarding transfer policies for the January window. Amorim expressed dissatisfaction with the level of support he received and insisted on being recognized as the ‘manager’ with full authority, rather than merely acting as a ‘head coach’ under the directors of football and recruitment.

His public outburst, combined with a series of underwhelming results, ultimately proved detrimental to his position. During his tenure, Amorim achieved only 24 wins out of 63 matches in all competitions, the lowest win percentage of any permanent manager in Manchester United’s Premier League history. Last season, he led the team to its lowest-ever Premier League finish at 15th place, although the squad reached the Europa League final, where they were defeated by Tottenham.

Currently, the team ranks sixth in the league, yet the club’s leadership felt that there was insufficient evidence of tactical progress, particularly given Amorim’s rigid 3-4-3 formation. According to a source within the dressing room, Amorim’s pre-match team talk before the Leeds match was described as ‘mumbling’ and filled with self-doubt. His decision to revert to a back three formation, after the squad had practiced with a back four throughout the week, reportedly left players surprised and confused, further undermining his authority.

In the interim, Manchester United legend Darren Fletcher will take charge of the first team while the club embarks on the critical task of finding a permanent replacement. Rene Meulensteen, a former first-team coach under Sir Alex Ferguson, emphasized the need for careful consideration in the selection process to avoid repeating past mistakes. He stated, “They must determine what is required to realign the club with its traditional values and ensure a successful future.”

The search for Amorim’s successor is already underway, with several high-profile candidates emerging. Enzo Maresca, recently dismissed by Chelsea, and former England manager Gareth Southgate are among the frontrunners. Other potential replacements include Oliver Glasner, currently at Crystal Palace, who is set to be out of contract at the end of the season, and Unai Emery, who is performing exceptionally well with Aston Villa. Manchester United will begin life after Amorim in 48 hours, facing relegation-threatened Burnley at Turf Moor.