Ruben Amorim has been sacked as Manchester United manager after a behind-the-scenes fallout with the club hierarchy.
After the 1-1 draw with Leeds United, Ruben Amorim publicly challenged Ineos and the Manchester United hierarchy in his post-game press conference.
It proved to be his final action as head coach, as journalist David Ornstein revealed that Amorim has now been sacked. Darren Fletcher will step in as the interim coach.
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Amorim seemingly fell out with club chiefs, including sporting director Jason Wilcox.
Ruben Amorim was on track for Europe
Last season, Amorim led United to the club’s worst-ever Premier League finish of 15th place, and he promised that there were “good times ahead” in his end-of-season speech.
In what was set to be his first full season as head coach, Amorim was expected to finish top six by Ineos.
At the time of his sacking, United are sixth in the Premier League and on track to not only return to Europe, but also well placed to challenge for a Champions League spot.
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United’s official sacking statement read that the decision was made to “give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish,” but clearly Amorim’s departure was not because of results.
Ineos hired Ruben Amorim to play 3-4-3
The biggest criticism of United under previous managers, including Erik ten Hag and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, is that there was no clear identity or style of play.
That is one of the main reasons Ineos chose to hire Amorim in the first place, because his 3-4-3 system had become dominant in Portugal.
Amorim stubbornly stuck to his 3-4-3 during his first year as coach, and rightly so. It’s what he was hired to do.
Reports of Wilcox interfering with Amorim’s tactics prove he has completely overstepped his responsibilities.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe publicly backed Ruben Amorim
After a rocky start to the season, Sir Jim Ratcliffe publicly supported Amorim and explained that he would get “three years” to prove himself.
That was said three months ago. Now, Ratcliffe has pulled the trigger and decided to sack Amorim after a rift formed behind the scenes.
Amorim was not given the time he was promised, despite showing clear signs of improvement this season.
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