Sky Sports News understands that Ruben Amorim’s emotional and inconsistent behavior was a key part of Manchester United’s decision to sack him.
United wanted stability and structure when they appointed him, and he provided that early in his reign, but his refusal to adapt and evolve the system led to a breakdown in the head coach’s confidence.
Amorim had a scheduled meeting with Director of Football Jason Wilcox on Friday where the team’s tactical approach was discussed in detail. Sky Sports News reported that United’s leaders felt Mr Amorim’s reaction at that meeting was very negative and emotional.
This was not a dismissal based on Amorim’s preference for a 3-4-3. Rather, it was based on what United saw as the head coach’s refusal to adapt tactics to different situations and the evolution of the team.
This was not due to a difference of opinion over the January transfer window, but both sides disagreed on whether to strengthen now.
Sources say the club have spent around £250m on new signings since Amorim arrived and Amorim knew there were always plans to strengthen his central midfield in the summer.
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Sky Sports’ Gary Cotterill takes a closer look at Ruben Amorim’s ups and downs during his time as Manchester United manager.
The attempt to sign Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth was opportunistic. Because he was a long-term target for the club, but that could never be allowed to jeopardize their summer plans.
United’s leaders felt that the team was still well placed to qualify for Europe, and felt that his position had become untenable due to the head coach’s negative attitude, particularly after repeated emotional statements in the media.
The overriding sentiment was that the managers believed in this group of players but did not feel the head coach shared their optimism.
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Danial Khan reports on news that Manchester United have sacked head coach Ruben Amorim after 14 months in office
The agreement when Amorim arrived was to ensure stability while evolving the squad and tactics, but United feel they have failed to do so.
After poor results, a heated meeting with Jason Wilcox and Mr Amorim’s repeated negative comments to the media, change was inevitable.
United did not want to change head coaches again, but felt they had no other choice.
Amorim’s terrible statistics in charge of Manchester United
During Ruben Amorim’s time as manager, only three teams in the Premier League had fewer points and fewer wins than Man United.
The damning statistics that contributed to Ruben Amorim’s sacking from Manchester United…
Amorim won just 24 of the 63 games he managed in all competitions, or 38.1 per cent, the worst winning percentage of any United manager since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, apart from Ralf Rangnick’s 37.9 per cent in half a season as caretaker manager. United have won 15 of their 47 Premier League games under Amorim, less than a third of their 19 defeats. His scoring average is 1.23 points. His performance per game is the worst of any United manager in the Premier League era. The next lowest is Rangnick with an average of 1.54. Amorim’s longest winning streak was just three games – against Rangers and FCSB in the Premier League in January, and against Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton in the Europa League – against Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton in October, losing just a third of his games overall, the worst record for a permanent manager at United since Frank O’Farrell in the early 1970s.
What is going on with Amorim now?
According to Sky Sports News, Amorim is likely to return to Portugal within the next few days.
Amorim is understood to be frustrated by what has happened, as he feels he lacks the support of the club’s hierarchy.
Amorim is thought to have wanted to sign an experienced Premier League striker during this period.
Sky Sports News has already reported that Jean-Philippe Mateta is one of United’s long-term interests.
Manchester United’s next 5 games
Wednesday: Burnley (A) – Premier League, kick-off 8.15pm, live on Sky Sports Sunday: Brighton (H) – FA Cup third round, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports 17 January: Man City (H) – Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm, live on Sky Sports 25 January: Arsenal (A) – Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports February 1: Fulham (H) – Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports
