Amorim’s Tenure at Manchester United Ends Abruptly Amid Tensions

Bruno Amorim directed pointed criticisms toward Manchester United’s board following the club’s disappointing draw against their historical rivals in West Yorkshire. He expressed concerns regarding the support he received at the board level and emphasized his desire for the autonomy to operate as a “manager” rather than merely a “head coach.”

The 40-year-old stated emphatically to reporters, marking a dramatic conclusion to his tenure: “I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United. That is clear. I know that my name is not [Thomas] Tuchel, [Antonio] Conte, or [Jose] Mourinho, but I am the manager of Manchester United.”

He further clarified, “This arrangement will last for 18 months or until the board decides to make a change. That was my position. I want to conclude this matter. I will not resign; I will fulfill my responsibilities until someone else is appointed to replace me.”

Amorim insisted, “I am committed to being the manager of this team, not just the coach. I was very clear on that. At the end of 18 months, we will all move on. That is the agreement. I am here to manage, and if the club cannot withstand criticism, including from figures like Gary Neville, we need to reassess our direction.”

Despite his declarations, Amorim did not last the full 18 months; his tenure was cut short less than a day after his remarks. Reports from The Telegraph indicated that by that point, his position had become “unsustainable.”

It was suggested that the club’s sporting director, Wilcox, intended for an in-house meeting to provide an optimistic overview of the team’s evolution. However, tensions escalated when Amorim reacted negatively to discussions regarding his preferred 3-4-3 formation.

Throughout his lackluster 14 months at Old Trafford, questions arose regarding his tactical approach. Although he aimed to bring stability and direction, his methods led to confusion among players, especially as transfer windows passed without significant signings. The Red Devils invested heavily in the summer of 2025 to acquire players capable of adapting to various tactical schemes, yet Amorim often reverted to his original strategies during challenging matches.

Reports indicate that Amorim’s explosive response to Wilcox’s feedback signaled to the club’s hierarchy that he had maximized his potential with the team. Chief Executive Omar Berrada made the final decision regarding Amorim’s departure during a meeting that included Wilcox, leading to his subsequent dismissal.

According to sources at Manchester United, there are suspicions that Amorim may have been attempting to leave the club, engaging in self-sabotage to facilitate his exit.

In the interim, United has appointed Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher, a former player well-acquainted with the club, as caretaker manager. He will oversee the team during their upcoming Premier League match against Burnley on Wednesday.

United plans to appoint an interim coach to guide the team until the end of the 2025-26 campaign, with Fletcher not being considered for the permanent position. The club is expected to pursue a long-term successor, with Austrian tactician Oliver Glasner, whose contract at Crystal Palace is nearing expiration, being a favored candidate among the board.