Ruben Amorim was sacked as Manchester United head coach earlier this week, but he was close to resigning in the opening weeks of the 2025/26 campaign.
Manchester United wasted no time sacking Ruben Amorim after the Portuguese coach challenged Ineos in a spiky post-match interview.
An erratic outburst came after United’s 1-1 draw with Leeds at Elland Road, where Amorim questioned club chiefs and whether they were doing their job at a high enough standard.
The problem with Amorim was that his results were not positive enough at Old Trafford. Even though the 40-year-old won two league titles in Portugal, he was unable to replicate that or show any signs of doing so in the Premier League.
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The result and performance against Leeds didn’t warrant a sacking. Other factors were at play when Sir Jim Ratcliffe decided to pull the plug on Amorim.
For instance, it wasn’t the first time Amorim gave a bizarre post-match interview or let his emotions get the better of him.
Ruben Amorim contemplated resigning from Man Utd in August 2025
It took United four games to record their first win of the 2025/26 season.
Arsenal picked up a 1-0 win at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season, but the Red Devils drew 1-1 away at Fulham a week later.
The most embarrassing result, so far this season, came on August 27 as United lost against Grimsby Town on penalties in the Carabao Cup second round. It was the biggest upset in the competition this season, plus it will be remembered as one of Amorim’s worst-ever defeats after losing to a League Two outfit.
Grimsby took a 2-0 lead in the first half hour, but goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire in the final 15 minutes of normal time forced the game to a penalty shootout.
Reliable reporter Duncan Castles claims Amorim was close to resigning during a TV interview after losing to Grimsby.
“He also came pretty close to saying he was ready to quit after the Grimsby game,” Castles said on The Transfers Podcast.
“And when I say after the Grimsby game, I’m talking about the TV interviews immediately after the game.
“I remember asking Manchester United off record whether they expected them to quit in the aftermath of that game and talking to people in Portugal to see where close to him, where they thought his head was. And the answer was, ‘We’re not sure. We’re not sure what he’s going to do next.’”
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Ruben Amorim linked with immediate return to management
Amorim could be set to return to the dugout almost immediately after losing his job at United.
According to talkSPORT, Amorim is a strong contender to potentially replace Mourinho at Benfica.
Mourinho became Benfica manager earlier this season when he signed a two-year contract.
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