Manchester United have dismissed head coach Ruben Amorim after 14 months in charge, bringing his time at Old Trafford to an abrupt end.
The Portuguese coach was informed of the decision on Monday morning. The move follows a breakdown in relations behind the scenes and comes just hours after a tense press conference that highlighted growing internal strains.
The decision was taken by chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, with the club concluding that a change was necessary at this stage of the season.
Amorim was appointed in November 2024 and oversaw a period of mixed progress. His standout achievement came last May, when he guided United to the final of the UEFA Europa League in Bilbao. However, league form has been less convincing, with United currently sitting sixth in the Premier League.
In a statement confirming his departure, the club said the decision was taken reluctantly but felt it offered the best chance of achieving the highest possible league finish this season. United also thanked Amorim for his work and wished him well for the future.
Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher will take charge of the first team on an interim basis. Fletcher, who has been working with the club’s Under-18s, will begin his spell in the dugout with Wednesday night’s Premier League fixture against Burnley.
According to reports, the club are not expected to rush into a permanent appointment, with a full-time successor unlikely to be named before the summer.
Widespread reports on Sunday evening suggested tensions had been building for some time. Disagreements over plans for the January transfer window and differing views on the team’s tactical direction are understood to have played a key role in the breakdown of relations.
For Manchester United, the focus now turns to stabilising performances on the pitch as they push for a strong finish to the season. For Amorim, his exit closes a challenging chapter that promised progress but ultimately fell short of long-term stability at Old Trafford.
