Ruben Amorim’s emotional and inconsistent behaviour was a key part of Manchester United’s decision to sack him, Sky Sports News understands.
United wanted stability and structure when they appointed him, which he brought in the early part of his reign, but a refusal to adapt and evolve his system led to the breakdown in confidence in the head coach.
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 has been told United’s bosses felt Amorim’s response at that meeting was very negative and emotional.
This was not a sacking based around Amorim’s preference for 3-4-3. Rather, it was on the basis of what United saw as the head coach’s refusal to adapt his tactics to differing circumstances and the evolution of the team.
It was not the result of differences in opinion over the January transfer window, although the two sides did not see eye to eye on whether to strengthen now.
Sources point out that the club has spent approximately £250m on new signings since Amorim arrived, and he knew the plan was always to strengthen the central midfield in the summer.
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Sky Sports reporter Gary Cotterill takes a closer look at Ruben Amorim’s ups and downs during his time in charge as Manchester United manager
The attempt to sign Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth was opportunistic, because he has been a long-term target of the club, but that would never be allowed to jeopardise the summer plans.
United’s bosses feel the team are still well-placed to secure a European place, and so because of the negativity of the head coach, particularly with repeated emotional statements in the media, they felt his position had become untenable.
The overriding feeling was that, whilst the bosses believe in this group of players, they didn’t feel the head coach shared their optimism.
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Danyal Khan reports on the news that Manchester United have sacked their head coach Ruben Amorim after 14 months in charge
The agreement when Amorim joined was to have a plan for stability and then evolve the team and tactics, but United feel he failed to implement that.
After a poor run of results, the heated meeting with Jason Wilcox, and Amorim’s repeatedly negative comments to the media, change was inevitable.
United didn’t want to change head coach again, but felt they had no choice.
Amorim’s damning stats in charge at Man Utd
Only three ever-present Premier League sides took fewer points and won fewer games than Man Utd during Ruben Amorim’s time in charge
The damning stats that contributed to Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United sacking…
Amorim won only 24 of his 63 games in charge in all competitions, or 38.1 per cent, the worst rate of any United manager since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson aside from Ralf Rangnick’s 37.9 per cent in half a season as interim manager.United have won less than a third of their Premier League games under Amorim, 15 out of 47, compared to 19 defeats.His average of 1.23 points per game is the worst of any United manager in the Premier League era. Next lowest is Rangnick, who averaged 1.54.Amorim’s longest winning run was just three matches, set in Europa League fixtures against Rangers and FCSB either side of a Premier League clash with Fulham in January and matched against Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton in OctoberAmorim lost exactly a third of his matches overall, the worst of any permanent United manager since Frank O’Farrell in the early 1970s.
What now for Amorim?
Amorim is likely to head back to Portugal in the coming days, Sky Sports News understands.
Amorim is understood to feel he was not getting the backing of the club hierarchy and is frustrated by what has happened.
Amorim is understood to have wanted to sign an experienced Premier League striker in this window.
Sky Sports News has already reported that Jean-Philippe Mateta is one player of long-term interest to United.
Man Utd’s next five fixtures
Wednesday: Burnley (A) – Premier League, kick-off 8.15pm, live on Sky SportsSunday: Brighton (H) – FA Cup third round, kick-off 4.30pmJanuary 17: Man City (H) – Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm, live on Sky SportsJanuary 25: Arsenal (A) – Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky SportsFebruary 1: Fulham (H) – Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports
