Manchester United have terminated the contract of manager Ruben Amorim, bringing a costly and unsuccessful 14-month tenure at Old Trafford to an abrupt end. The decision, confirmed by the club on Monday morning, is estimated to have cost the financially constrained Premier League giants approximately £20 million in compensation.
The Final Straw: A Public Demand for Control
Amorim's dismissal came less than 24 hours after a pointed press conference following a 1-1 draw with Leeds United. The Portuguese coach publicly insisted on having more control over club affairs, starkly stating he was hired to be "the manager of this team, not just the coach." He pointedly referenced the 18 months remaining on his lucrative contract, a deal reportedly worth £6.5 million per year until June 2027.
This outburst is understood to have greatly displeased United's football hierarchy, led by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The club's official statement pointedly noted that "Ruben Amorim has departed his role as Head Coach of Manchester United," subtly contradicting his desired title.
A Costly Experiment That Failed to Deliver
United's gamble on Amorim began in November 2024, when they paid £9.2 million to release him and his staff from Sporting Lisbon. His pedigree was strong, having won two league titles and two domestic cups in Portugal. However, he struggled to translate that success to the pressures of Old Trafford.
His attempts to implement a favoured 3-4-3 formation often floundered, and the club endured a dismal 15th-place finish last season. While he guided the team to the 2025 Europa League final – where they lost to Tottenham Hotspur – and oversaw some improvement this term, the progress was inconsistent. The final trigger was a run of just one win in his last five games, leaving United languishing in sixth place in the Premier League table.
What Happens Next at Old Trafford?
The club stated the change was made to give the team "the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish." Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher has been placed in temporary charge, starting with Wednesday's trip to face Burnley.
However, the search for a permanent successor is already underway. Early candidates linked with the role include Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola. The swift and expensive closure of the Amorim chapter underscores the relentless pressure for success at Manchester United and the high financial stakes of every decision made by the Ratcliffe-led regime.
