Ruben Amorim has swiftly departed the United Kingdom following his dismissal as manager of Manchester United. The 40-year-old Portuguese coach is said to have already jetted off to be with his family and contemplate his next career move.
Amorim's Unscheduled Departure
The decision to sack Amorim was confirmed on Monday morning, less than 24 hours after Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Leeds United. Reports indicate that the club's hierarchy had already resolved to part ways with the manager prior to that weekend fixture. According to Sky Sports, Amorim was not taken aback by the decision to wield the axe and is keen to resume his managerial career 'soon'.
Despite the disappointing results, Amorim reportedly remained confident that his squad would have secured Champions League qualification and that the team's form would have improved once key players returned from the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
A Fractured Relationship with the Board
The underlying cause of Amorim's exit appears to be a fundamental breakdown in his relationship with the club's leadership. In his final press conference, the now-former head coach publicly criticised the club's lack of activity in the January transfer window. He emphasised a desire to be treated as a 'manager' with broader influence, rather than just a 'coach'.
"I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United. That is clear," Amorim stated. He added, "I know that my name is not Tuchel, is not Conte, is not Mourinho, but I'm the manager of Manchester United. It's going to be like this for 18 months or when the board decided to change."
Clash Over Transfer Philosophy
Amorim is claimed to have believed the squad required one or two experienced signings during the winter window to stabilise their campaign. However, his vision clashed with the financial realities and plans at Old Trafford. He expressed frustration last December, noting: "I have the feeling if we have to play a perfect 3-4-3, we need to spend a lot of money and we need time. I'm starting to understand that is not going to happen. So, maybe I have to adapt."
Just last week, he confirmed the impasse, declaring: "The transfer window is not going to change. We have no conversation to have any change in the squad. There's a process, there's an idea - that's going to continue." This public admission highlighted the growing tension between his ambitions and the club's strategy, overseen by director of football Jason Wilcox.
Ultimately, the inability to find 'common ground' on recruitment and the broader manager's role proved insurmountable, leading to Amorim's departure after just 18 months in charge. The search for his successor is now underway, with former Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner reportedly a top target for the interim role.
