Amorim Axed: The "Manager" Who Refused to Just Be a Coach

 

The inevitable weary sigh has echoed around Old Trafford once again.

Just 14 months after arriving as the highly-rated tactician from Sporting CP, Ruben Amorim has been sacked by Manchester United. The decision comes less than 24 hours after a fractious 1-1 draw against Leeds United—a match that will be remembered less for the football and more for the explosive post-match press conference that effectively signed his exit papers.

If you’ve been following the soap opera at the Theatre of Dreams, this feels like a re-run of a bad season. But Amorim’s exit is distinct in one key way: it wasn’t just about results; it was a battle for the soul of the job itself.

The "Head Coach" Experiment Implodes

When INEOS appointed Amorim in November 2024 to replace Erik ten Hag, the mandate was clear: fit into the new structure. Work with Director of Football Jason Wilcox. Be the "Head Coach," not the old-school omnipotent manager.

Yesterday at Elland Road, Amorim torched that mandate.

"I came here to be the manager of Manchester United – not to be the coach... I know my name is not Tuchel, Mourinho or Conte but I'm the manager."

That quote will go down in United folklore alongside Mourinho’s "Heritage" rant. It was the sound of a man who had lost the power struggle. Reports suggest Amorim was furious over a lack of consultation regarding the January transfer window, specifically clashing with Wilcox over squad reinforcements. When the board signaled that the checkbook was closed despite the squad's glaring holes, Amorim went rogue.

The Numbers Don't Lie

While the backstage politics were messy, the on-pitch reality made Amorim indefensible.

• Current Position: 6th (31 points from 20 games).

• Last Season: A disastrous 15th place finish—the club's worst in the Premier League era.

• Win Percentage: A shocking 31.9%, the lowest of any permanent United manager in modern history.

Despite spending nearly £250m on talents like Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha, Amorim’s rigid adherence to his signature 3-4-3 formation often looked disjointed in the Premier League. The "tactical genius" we saw in Portugal rarely translated to English football, leaving players looking confused and the defense exposed.

What Now? Enter Fletcher.

As is tradition, the interim cycle begins again. Darren Fletcher has been promoted from the U18s to steady the ship, starting with Burnley on Wednesday. It’s a nostalgic pick, but nostalgia doesn’t win league titles.

For Manchester United fans, today isn't just about losing a manager; it's about the realization that the "structure" INEOS promised to fix is still creaking. Amorim failed, yes. But he is the seventh manager since Sir Alex Ferguson to be chewed up by the United machine.

The Verdict: Amorim wanted total control in an era of collaborative structures. He fought the system, and the system won. But looking at the league table, it’s hard to argue that Manchester United are winning anything at all.

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Comments Section Are you happy to see Amorim go, or was he let down by the board? Let me know your thoughts below!

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Next Step for You: Would you like me to look up the current betting odds for the next permanent Manchester United manager, or summarize Darren Fletcher’s recent record with the U18s?