Ruben Amorim's tumultuous 14-month tenure as Manchester United's manager officially concluded on January 5, 2026, following a period marked by disappointing results and escalating public controversy. His dismissal was primarily triggered by highly critical post-match comments he made after a 1-1 draw against Leeds United, where he openly attacked Director of Football Jason Wilcox and the club's scouting department, suggesting a fundamental rift with the club's leadership and emphasising his role as 'manager, not coach'. This 'back me or sack me' ultimatum left INEOS, the club's owners, with no alternative.

Amorim, who arrived in November 2024 to replace Erik ten Hag with a promising reputation from Sporting CP, ultimately failed to replicate his success at Old Trafford. Under his leadership, United finished a disastrous 15th in the 2024-25 Premier League season, suffered a Europa League final defeat, and currently languished in sixth place, meaning no European football for the club this season. This string of poor performances, coupled with his tactical stubbornness and controversial decisions, led to what many fans and pundits termed the 'Suffer Man' era.

Several critical factors contributed to Amorim's downfall. His rigid adherence to the 3-4-3 formation, despite the squad not being built for it, proved to be a tragic flaw. Key attacking talents like Alejandro Garnacho were forced into defensive wing-back roles, diminishing their impact, while Bruno Fernandes appeared lost in a defensive midfield pivot. Reports suggested internal questioning of these tactics by Head of Recruitment Christopher Vivell, to which Amorim reportedly dug in harder. Furthermore, his inexplicable marginalisation of Kobbie Mainoo, a highly valued academy-developed talent and future captain, deeply alienated the fanbase and caused a significant power struggle with the board, who viewed Mainoo as untouchable.

Statistically, Amorim's record was the worst for any Manchester United manager in the 21st century, boasting a mere 38% win ratio from 63 games (24 wins, 18 draws, 21 defeats). The 15th-place Premier League finish and the Europa League final loss represented not just sporting failures but also significant commercial catastrophes for a club built on European nights. His final undoing was arguably his open rebellion against INEOS's modern football operations model, which tasks recruitment to specialists rather than the head coach. His repeated public declarations of being 'the manager, not the coach,' demanding transfer control, signified an irreparable breakdown in relations over the club's organisational structure.

The club's official announcement of Amorim's sacking was met with jubilant reactions from large sections of the fanbase on social media, with many expressing relief. Club legend Wayne Rooney was blunt in his assessment, stating that Amorim had not earned the right to speak with such authority, lacking the pedigree of figures like Pep Guardiola or Jürgen Klopp. Gary Neville also urged Manchester United to 'stop experimenting' and appoint a manager who 'fits the club's DNA,' advocating for experienced leadership and adventurous, attacking football.

In the immediate aftermath, former midfielder Darren Fletcher has stepped in as interim head coach, with his first match being an upcoming Premier League fixture against Burnley. However, fans have already taken to social media, with some calling for the immediate appointment of former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. The search for a permanent replacement is underway, though the club plans to name a new permanent boss only in the summer, aiming for a manager who will embrace the INEOS vision, develop young talent like Mainoo, and most importantly, deliver exciting, aggressive football.