Manchester United dismiss Ruben Amorim after 14 months
Manchester United dismissed Ruben Amorim on Monday evening, handing the Portuguese manager a £10 million severance package after just 14 months at the helm, reports BritPanorama.
The 40-year-old was called to the club’s Carrington training facility where chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox delivered the news. His departure follows a turbulent week marked by escalating tensions with the Old Trafford hierarchy over tactical matters.
The decision received full endorsement from the board and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Reports indicate that senior figures at the club saw insufficient signs of development or advancement under Amorim’s stewardship, prompting action to maximise the squad’s potential this campaign.
The financial toll of Amorim’s brief tenure amounts to nearly £27 million when all costs are tallied. United had paid £8.3 million to release him from his Sporting Lisbon contract in October 2024, along with an additional £900,000 spent to secure his services ahead of schedule. His agreement at Old Trafford was worth £6.5 million annually, running until June 2027, meaning his exit payment covers approximately £10.05 million in remaining wages.
The club must also settle compensation for the five coaching staff members who accompanied him from Portugal. This substantial outlay comes after a season that saw United miss European qualification for only the second occasion in 35 years. Darren Fletcher, currently overseeing the under-18s, has stepped in as caretaker manager for Wednesday’s FA Cup fixture at Burnley.
United intend to appoint an interim boss to see out the remainder of the campaign. Michael Carrick, who held temporary charge for three fixtures in 2021, emerged as an early candidate alongside former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. This approach affords the club breathing space to evaluate permanent options, with Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti potentially becoming available following the World Cup.
Amorim’s undoing stemmed from his stubborn adherence to a three-centre-back formation, which placed him at odds with senior figures at the club. Following the draw against bottom-placed Wolves last Tuesday, Wilcox conveyed that the £250 million summer signings merited greater faith and possessed the quality for more adventurous football. The Portuguese reportedly reacted furiously to this assessment.
He subsequently made pointed remarks about internal difficulties before the Leeds fixture, then delivered an extraordinary outburst after the 1-1 result at Elland Road. His record of 25 victories from 63 matches represents the poorest win percentage of the Premier League era.
The swift nature of the club’s decision reflects the critical juncture they find themselves at — a reminder that at Manchester United, results matter above all else, and patience is often a luxury few can afford.
