Ruben Amorim already finds himself under pressure just four months into his tenure at Manchester United.
After Erik ten Hag was sacked, Ineos quickly decided that Ruben Amorim was the right man to take charge at Old Trafford.
Ineos gave Amorim an ultimatum during negotiations, forcing him to join mid-season despite him wanting to stay at Sporting Lisbon in the summer. Looking back, he may regret making the move when he did.
Amorim has inherited a United squad with shattered confidence and no identity, and that squad only got weaker through the January transfer window.
Amorim has called for patience as he tries to implement his ideas, but the lack of short-term results means United are in a relegation fight.
How much it would cost Ineos to sack Ruben Amorim
It’s outrageous that Amorim’s future is even being discussed, but that is the nature of football apparently.
Ineos have made some questionable decisions in their first year in charge and Paul Scholes worries Amorim has no support from those above him.
According to The Sun, it would cost Ineos as much as £20m if they decided to sack Amorim and his staff this season.
Amorim was given a three-year contract in November worth around £6million per season – he would be entitled to around £12m personally while his staff’s compensation takes the figure up to £20m.
United have paid nearly £70m sacking managers since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, and pulling the trigger on Amorim would only add to that figure.
Ineos have no choice but to support Ruben Amorim
Ineos announced another 200 job cuts this week as part of a “transformation plan” at United that is designed to cut costs.
With staff at Old Trafford and Carrington enduring brutal cuts, splashing £20m to sack Amorim would be (another) terrible look for Ineos.
Sacking Ten Hag and Ashworth cost £14.5m and that now reflects terribly on the decision-makers at Old Trafford. Hiring Amorim was the right choice, and while his start has been relatively underwhelming, he deserves time and patience to turn things around.
That will also require unconditional support from those above him. Amorim will need investment in the summer to get players that suit his 3-4-2-1 system.
Patrick Dorgu has shown great potential as Amorim’s only signing so far.
With smart recruitment and patience over the summer, Amorim can start fresh next season – only then should he be truly judged on performances and results.
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