Manchester United have officially parted ways with head coach Ruben Amorim today, January 5, 2026.

The decision follows a 1-1 draw with Leeds United and a public breakdown in relations between the Portuguese tactician and the club’s hierarchy.

Current Under-18s coach and former United midfielder Darren Fletcher has been named interim manager.

He is expected to lead the team through the remainder of the season while the board, led by CEO Omar Berrada and Director of Football Jason Wilcox, begins the search for a permanent successor.

Just months ago, the stance from Old Trafford was one of stability. In October 2025, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe publicly backed Amorim, urging against “knee-jerk reactions” despite a rocky start to the 2025/26 campaign.

“He has not had the best of seasons. Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years,” Ratcliffe stated in October. “You can’t run a club like Manchester United by flicking a switch and expecting roses tomorrow.”

However, that patience evaporated following a dismal run of form—winning just one of his last five games, and a record of only 24 wins from 63 matches.

The Breaking Point: The Leeds Press Conference

The final straw was not the result at Elland Road, but Amorim’s explosive post-match comments. In a pointed critique of the club’s “head coach” structure, Amorim appeared to distance himself from the recruitment and sporting departments.

The controversial quote that sealed his fate, “I came here to be the MANAGER of Manchester United… not to be the coach. That is clear. In every department, the scouting department, the sporting director, they need to do their job, and I will do mine for 18 months and then we move on.”

Amorim’s insistence that he was “not just a coach” and his challenge to the board’s established structure were reportedly viewed as insubordination by the INEOS leadership team.

With the club currently sitting in 6th place and reeling from internal friction, the board has opted for a “safe pair of hands” in Darren Fletcher.