Manchester United parted ways with Ruben Amorim, ending his 14-month tenure at the helm.
Amorim faced the press on Monday, just before the news broke. For Wednesday’s clash with Burnley, under-18s coach Darren Fletcher will step in to lead the team.
According to SportTribune sources, United is expected to appoint a caretaker manager, with a permanent decision likely to come in the summer. Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada informed Amorim at Carrington on Monday.
Sources within the club denied that Amorim and Wilcox fought over the choice. It was because the hierarchy “hasn’t seen sufficient signs of progress.” However, insiders reveal that Amorim’s dismissal followed a tense Friday showdown with Wilcox.
Amorim didn’t enjoy talking about his 3-4-3 and team changes, sources indicate. After the contentious news conference following the meeting, Amorim left the club’s training facility.
After withdrawing for “personal reasons,” Lisandro Martínez replaced him in the interview. Wilcox wanted the meeting to discuss feedback from the Wolves’ draw three days previously, sources told SportsTribune.
Club executives saw Amorim’s emotional reaction as evidence of a growing rift with Wilcox. The news conference followed Monday’s 1-1 tie with Leeds. The Portuguese coach demanded to be “manager, not the coach” and told Wilcox to “do his job.”
Insiders point to a mix of backstage turmoil and disappointing results as reasons for Amorim’s departure. The timing of Amorim’s exit is tied to his pointed remarks at Elland Road, where he openly criticized both the club and Wilcox.
The Portuguese coach discussed his January transfer woes on Friday. After Sunday’s match, he told club management he wants to be managing, not coaching, and criticized Wilcox to “do his job.”
SportsTribune stated that club insiders said Amorim supported their transfer approach.
The decision was made to help the squad succeed, they said. Taking over from Erik ten Hag in November 2024, Amorim endured a turbulent 14 months at United.
He leaves with a record of 24 wins from 63 matches, including just 15 victories in the Premier League. United currently sits sixth in the table, with only eight wins from their first 20 games.
