Ruben Amorim sacked live updates: Manchester United next manager latest as 14-month tenure ends
Speaking after the draw at Elland Road, Amorim hinted at tensions with those working alongside him, making clear in his post-match press conference that he considered himself the “manager” of United, not the “coach”.
“It’s going to be like this for 18 months or when the board decide to change,” Amorim added. “That was my point, I want to finish with that. I’m not going to quit. I will do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me.”
The Portuguese has been criticised for his perceived tactical inflexibility during his time at United, due to his preference for a 3-4-3 set up. However, The Athletic reported in December that United had been trialling other formations in training. Against Newcastle United on December 26, Amorim’s side recorded a 1-0 win playing in a 4-2-3-1, before reverting to the 3-4-3 and drawing 1-1 against Wolverhampton Wanderers four days later.
As per the terms in the deal Amorim signed to leave Sporting CP for United in November 2024, there is no clause present to enable a discounted exit meaning United will have to pay up his contract in full. It was set to run until 2027 with the option of a further year.
United paid €11million (£9.25m; $11.95m) to hire Amorim from Sporting, where he won the Primeira Liga title in 2021 and again in 2024 while also winning the Taca da Liga — the Portuguese League Cup — on two occasions. Amorim succeeded Erik ten Hag, with the Dutchman leaving after two and a half years in charge at Old Trafford.
It never truly felt like Ruben Amorim had got his feet under the table at Manchester United. There were doubts among many in the club’s fanbase from day one and he was never quite able to turn those doubters into believers.
In all, the Portuguese manager spent 14 months at Old Trafford having agreed to take over from Erik ten Hag in November 2024.
Initially he intimated that he didn’t want to take the job in the middle of a season, but was convinced to take the role — something that I suspect he might be regretting while he eats his breakfast this morning…
