Manchester United have dismissed manager Ruben Amorim, plunging Sir Jim Ratcliffe's new era of leadership into immediate crisis and raising serious questions about the club's direction.
A Public Clash and Poor Results Seal Fate
The Portuguese head coach's tenure at Old Trafford was terminated on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, following a series of disputes with the club's hierarchy and a lack of success on the pitch. Amorim, 39, was appointed in November 2024 but lasted just 14 months in the role.
His departure mirrors the recent exit of Enzo Maresca from Chelsea, showing the peril for managers who publicly challenge their employers. The final rupture came after Amorim used a news conference following Sunday's 1-1 draw at Leeds to dispute his own job title. He argued he should hold the more powerful "manager" designation rather than the "head coach" role he was given, further inflaming tensions with the United leadership, including director of football Jason Wilcox.
A Trophy-Less Reign and Humiliating Defeats
Despite arriving with a reputation built on winning silverware at Sporting Lisbon, Amorim failed to deliver any trophies to Manchester United. The most painful setback was losing the Europa League final to a struggling Tottenham side in May 2025.
The club's domestic form was equally concerning, finishing a dismal 15th in the Premier League last season. This campaign had offered little improvement, with United sitting sixth at the time of his sacking. The low point came in August with a humiliating League Cup defeat to fourth-tier Grimsby Town, a result that severely damaged Amorim's standing.
Criticism of his tactical inflexibility grew steadily, and his relationship with the football structure above him reportedly soured beyond repair.
Bigger Questions for Ratcliffe and INEOS
Amorim's sacking means United are now seeking their seventh permanent manager since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013. The search begins under a cloud, as this represents the first major football appointment to go awry under Sir Jim Ratcliffe's control.
The INEOS billionaire assumed day-to-day command of football operations after the Glazer family ceded control, promising a new dawn. However, widespread unhappiness is reported within the club, not only about this failed managerial appointment but also regarding job cuts and cost-saving measures implemented by the new regime.
The mood at Old Trafford is described as increasingly tempestuous. The next manager will face crucial questions about their power over transfers and the level of funds available to strengthen a squad that has clearly underperformed. As Amorim's tenure proves, a manager's future at United may depend as much on navigating the boardroom as on delivering results on the pitch.
