Amorim Fired One Day After Giving MU an Ultimatum

MANCHESTER, MONDAY - The fate of coach Ruben Amorim is truly ironic. Not even 24 hours after issuing an ultimatum to Manchester United regarding his status as the team's manager, he was dismissed. Amorim has now added to the long list of curses that have befallen Manchester United coaches since the era of Sir Alex Ferguson.

MU announced that it has parted ways with Amorim on Monday (5/1/2026). "Ruben Amorim has left his position as head coach. With the club sitting in sixth place in the Premier League, this is the right time for a change. It will give the team the best chance to finish as high as possible," the club stated.

Amorim concluded his journey with the "Red Devils" without ever being involved in a full season. He was appointed as the replacement for Erik ten Hag in November 2024, during the middle of the 2024-25 season. The man from Portugal has now been dismissed halfway through the 2025-26 season.

I know my name is not (Thomas) Tuchel or Jose (Mourinho), but I am the manager of MU.

The decision was made by MU management exactly one day after Lisandro Martinez and his teammates drew 1-1 with Leeds United. The result was unsatisfactory, but it was not the main reason for Amorim's dismissal. The primary reason was the ultimatum message from the coach after the match.

Amorim emphasized that he will take on the role of team manager until his contract expires in the next 18 months. He does not wish to merely be the head coach, as he is currently. For him, this does not align with the agreement offered by the MU side during the negotiation process.

"I know my name is not (Thomas) Tuchel or Jose (Mourinho), but I am the manager of MU. Everything will remain that way for the next 18 months or until the executives decide to change it. That is the agreement. That is my job, not to be a coach," emphasized Amorim.

Coaches and managers have different authorities. Coaches are more focused on leading matches, such as determining tactics and players. Managers have a greater responsibility for building the team as a whole, from being involved in transfer strategy decisions to planning the team's future.

Amorim feels that his authority is being interfered with by many parties, especially in the selection of strategies. He feels unsupported in using his preferred formation, 3-4-3. "All departments, from talent scouting to the sports director, must perform their respective duties. And, I will carry out my responsibilities," he said.

According to transfer issue specialist journalist Fabrizio Romano, the situation within MU has been very intense in the last 24 hours. Amorim is dissatisfied with the club's passivity in bringing in new players. The coach is in urgent need of players to maximize the game in the 3-4-3 system.

Amorim expressed his frustration after the victory over Newcastle United at the end of December. At that time, MU employed a four-defender formation for the first time under Amorim. He opened the possibility of no longer using a three-defender formation due to limited support.

"I feel that if we are to play with a perfect 3-4-3 formation, we need to spend a lot of money and time. I am starting to understand that this will not happen. So, perhaps I am the one who needs to adapt," said Amorim, who ultimately returned to a three-defender formation after the match.

The three-defender formation employed by Amorim has often been criticized for failing to deliver the best results for the "Red Devils." However, the MU squad seems to have begun adapting to this system recently. They have managed to secure a position in the top six of the league, no longer lingering outside the top ten as they did at the beginning of the season.

Wayne Rooney, the former MU striker, has predicted that after Amorim's ultimatum, the coach will not last until the end of his contract. Amorim's candid message indicates that there is a fractured relationship with the club's executives behind the scenes.

Rooney believes Amorim didn't deserve to issue an ultimatum to the club. "You need to earn the right to dictate the direction of a club like Manchester United. He's not Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp, who have the history and background (of controlling clubs). So he shouldn't have spoken like that," he said on the Wayne Rooney Show podcast.

Amorim led a total of 63 matches with the "Red Devils." His record is not particularly impressive, with 25 wins, 15 draws, and 23 losses. Amorim's best achievement was guiding MU to the Europa League final last season. The 40-year-old coach lasted less than 14 months.

As a result, the long search for the best coach for MU continues. Ten coaching figures have come and gone since Sir Alex's departure in 2013, and none have truly succeeded. Amorim has become the latest victim of the "Red Devils" coaching hot seat curse. (AP/REUTERS)