Manchester United have parted ways with head coach Ruben Amorim with immediate effect, bringing an abrupt end to his turbulent spell at Old Trafford after a fiery outburst directed at the club’s hierarchy following Sunday’s draw away at Leeds.
The decision was communicated to Amorim at the club’s Carrington training base on Monday morning, with senior players also briefed shortly afterwards.
In the interim, former United midfielder and current Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher has been handed the reins and will oversee the team for Wednesday’s Premier League clash against Burnley.
Amorim, 40, was reportedly entitled to £12 million in compensation if dismissed before November 1, although details of his final severance package remain unclear at this stage.
His exit closes the chapter on a 14-month reign marked by instability and disappointment. During that period, United suffered what was described as their worst season in over 50 years, failing to qualify for European competition for only the second time in 35 years. Despite the struggles, the club currently sits sixth on the Premier League table.
The Portuguese tactician arrived in Manchester in November 2024 from Sporting Lisbon with high expectations, but results and performances quickly turned sour.
His tenure became the subject of ridicule in some quarters, particularly after footage surfaced showing him using coaching magnets in the dugout during United’s shock Carabao Cup second-round defeat to Grimsby Town in August.
Confirming the decision, the club released an official statement saying: ‘Ruben Amorim has departed his role as head coach of Manchester United.
‘Ruben was appointed in November 2024 and led the team to a UEFA Europa League Final in Bilbao in May.
‘With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change. This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish.
‘The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future. Darren Fletcher will take charge of the team against Burnley on Wednesday.’
Behind the scenes, Amorim’s relationship with the club’s leadership had reportedly deteriorated in recent weeks. His position became increasingly difficult after he publicly criticised the club’s handling of the January transfer window, singling out director of football Jason Wilcox and questioning the level of authority he was given in his role.
Tensions had been bubbling since the Christmas period, with Amorim dropping hints during media engagements. However, matters came to a head after his explosive comments at Elland Road, which shocked many observers.
Club statement: Ruben Amorim.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 5, 2026
He said, ‘I noticed that you received selective information about everything. I came here to be the manager of Manchester United… not to be the coach of Manchester United. That is clear.
‘I know my name is not (Thomas) Tuchel, it’s not (Antonio) Conte, it’s not (Jose) Mourinho, but I am the manager of Manchester United and it’s going to be like this for 18 months or when the board decide to change. That was my point and I want to finish with that. I’m not going to quit. I will do my job until other guy is coming here to replace me.
‘I just want to say that I am going to be the manager of this team, not just the coach and I was really clear on that. And that is going to finish in 18 months and then everyone is going to move on. That was the deal, that is my job… not to be a coach. If people cannot handle the Gary Nevilles, the criticism, everything… we need to change the club. I just want to say that.
‘I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach. In every department, the scouting department, the sporting director needs to do his job, and I will do mine for 18 months and then we move on.’
Those remarks ultimately proved to be the final straw, as United’s hierarchy moved swiftly to draw a line under Amorim’s reign and shift focus to salvaging their league campaign under interim leadership.