Why was Ruben Amorim sacked as Manchester United? Did his 'Manager' comment play a part?

Manchester United have parted ways with head coach Ruben Amorim after just 14 months, in a decision driven by a combination of poor results, tactical stubbornness, and a public breakdown in relations with the club's hierarchy.

Amorim, appointed in November 2024 from Sporting CP, oversaw the club's worst-ever Premier League finish of 15th last season, followed by a disappointing Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.

This season, United sit sixth after 20 games, with only eight wins and recent draws against Wolves and Leeds highlighting ongoing inconsistencies.

The final straw came after Sunday's 1-1 draw at Leeds, where Amorim launched an explosive post-match rant. He demanded the recruitment team "do their job," insisted he was the "manager,

not the coach," and suggested he would only stay until his contract expires in 18 months. This outburst exposed deep frustrations over transfer policy, with Amorim clashing with director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada regarding January signings and squad control.

In a statement, United described the move as "reluctant" but necessary for a higher league finish. Darren Fletcher takes interim charge starting with Wednesday's game at Burnley. Amorim departs with a win rate of around 38% from 63 games, marking another chapter in Old Trafford's post-Ferguson instability.

Was the 'Manager' comment the big blow?

Following the 1-1 draw at Elland Road on Sunday (January 4), Ruben Amorim initially expressed satisfaction with the performance in TV interviews, noting improved control and then tried to prove his stature at the club. Amorim mentioned his role at the club was supposed to be as manager, not a head coach.

"I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United. That is clear. That was the deal. That is my job, not to be a coach. If people cannot handle the Gary Nevilles and the criticisms of everything, we need to change the club," Amorim said.

"I just want to say that I'm going to be the manager of this team, not just the coach.Every department, the scouting department, the sport director needs to do their job. I will do mine for 18 months and then we move on," he added.

The comments, widely interpreted as a public challenge to the hierarchy over transfer control and his authority, proved to be the final straw, leading to his sacking the following day.