Manchester United Parts Ways with Ruben Amorim Amidst Turmoil

In the aftermath of Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against Leeds United on Sunday, Ruben Amorim asserted his position as the “manager and not the coach” of the club, seemingly directing criticism towards the board for their interference in his duties.

He stated to reporters, “I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the head coach. While my name may not carry the weight of [Antonio] Conte, [Thomas] Tuchel, or [Jose] Mourinho, I am the manager of this club. This arrangement will last for 18 months or until the board decides otherwise. I have no intention of resigning; I will fulfill my responsibilities until someone else is appointed to take my place.”

Despite Manchester United’s position in the top six, these remarks appear to have prompted the club to part ways with the former Sporting CP boss on Monday.

A statement released by the club read: “Ruben Amorim has departed his role as head coach of Manchester United. Appointed in November 2024, he led the team to a UEFA Europa League Final in Bilbao in May. With the team currently sitting sixth in the Premier League, the leadership has made the difficult decision that it is the appropriate time for a change, ensuring the best possible finish in the league. We thank Ruben for his contributions and wish him success in the future.”

Reports from ESPN indicate that tensions had been simmering behind the scenes between Amorim and the club for an extended period. In January 2025, Amorim was reportedly persuaded to continue at the club after a disappointing run, and just a month later, he expressed a belief that the team would struggle to win matches based on their pre-game preparations. He voiced concerns regarding the fragility of his squad, describing the team as “broken” and lamenting their lack of physicality, which led to his frustration over frequent losses in one-on-one situations. His assertion that this United team might be the “worst” in the club’s 147-year history did not resonate well with his players. Moreover, his critiques of 2025 signings Benjamin Sesko and Patrick Dorgu, alongside academy players, left many feeling discontented.

In light of these developments, reports from Norway suggest that Manchester United is in discussions with club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer regarding a potential return to Old Trafford. Solskjaer, who managed the Red Devils from 2018 to 2021 before his dismissal, is a strong candidate to succeed Amorim, with the possibility of rejoining the team as early as Friday. He previously remarked in a Q&A at the Oslo Business Forum in September 2024, “If the family [United] asks, I would say yes every day of the week. While it feels inappropriate to comment on positions held by others, my answer would remain affirmative.”

Following Amorim’s departure, United has confirmed that Under-18 coach Darren Fletcher will oversee the Premier League match against Burnley on Wednesday night. As Amorim prepares to return to Portugal, it remains uncertain whether Solskjaer will officially take charge by the weekend or how long he would remain in that role.