Manchester United have terminated the contract of manager Ruben Amorim, bringing a tumultuous 14-month tenure to an abrupt end. The decision follows a damaging public outburst from the Portuguese coach after a 1-1 draw with Leeds United, which proved to be the final straw for the club's hierarchy.
Internal Collapse and a Costly Exit
The core reason for Ruben Amorim's sacking was a complete breakdown in his relationship with key figures at Old Trafford. Senior executives Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox concluded that the situation had become untenable and that a change was imperative to safeguard the club's future.
This dismissal comes with a significant financial penalty for the Red Devils. As Amorim's contract, which ran until 2027, did not include a reduced exit clause, Manchester United are obligated to pay his salary in full. This hefty payout adds to the staggering sum of over £50 million the club has spent on managerial severance packages since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013.
Tactical Stubbornness and Historic Lows
On the pitch, Amorim's reign was defined by frustration and failure. He faced intense criticism for his rigid insistence on a 3-4-3 formation, despite consistently poor results. Although alternative systems were explored in training, the manager persistently reverted to his preferred setup, creating a major point of contention with the board.
The statistical outcome was damning. Under Amorim's guidance, Manchester United recorded their worst-ever Premier League season, finishing in a dismal 15th place with a record-low points tally. The campaign was trophyless and, critically, the team failed to qualify for European football for the first time in over a decade.
Failed Investment and Public Fallouts
The club's substantial investment in the squad failed to yield any improvement. Despite spending over £200 million in the summer of 2025 on signings like Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo, the team's performance continued to decline sharply.
Relations within the club deteriorated publicly. A humiliating cup defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town was a low point, after which Amorim made several incendiary comments, including admitting he sometimes "hated" his players. Further conflict arose from a power struggle over his role, as he insisted on being a traditional 'manager' with broad control, clashing with the club's desired structure.
With Amorim's departure confirmed, former player Darren Fletcher has been appointed as interim coach while the search for a permanent successor begins. The club now faces the dual challenge of rebuilding both on the pitch and financially after another expensive failed experiment.
