Ruben Amorim’s Sacking at Manchester United
Ruben Amorim has become the sixth manager for Manchester United to be let go within the last 13 years, marking the end of his underwhelming reign just over 14 months after taking the helm. This dismissal makes his tenure the second shortest for any permanent coach at Old Trafford.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of United, had hoped that Amorim could replicate the success Mikel Arteta has found at Arsenal with adequate time, while CEO Omar Berrada’s expectations drew unflattering comparisons to Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola. Amorim entered the United setup after successfully leading Sporting CP to two league titles in Portugal, but he leaves with his reputation in tatters.
Few Premier League teams are likely to hire him again, as his rigid adherence to a 3-4-3 formation and his candid but damaging press conferences have left a negative impression. A return to Portuguese football, possibly with Benfica, appears to be the most reasonable next step for him.
Amorim is not the first manager with high hopes to struggle at Old Trafford, and he certainly won’t be the last. But how does his performance compare to those who aimed to follow in Sir Alex Ferguson’s footsteps? Goal ranks the various Scottish successors from the least to most successful.
Ruben Amorim
Statistically, Amorim stands out as the worst manager in Manchester United’s history this century and before. His final season saw a dismal league finish of 15th—the club’s lowest since 1974—and his winning percentage of 38.7% was the lowest since Frank O’Farrell’s era in the early ’70s. For perspective, David Moyes achieved a winning percentage of just above 52%, despite facing a tougher challenge after Ferguson’s departure.
Unlike Moyes, who had limited support from the transfer market, Amorim was afforded time and resources to establish his project, with United’s net spending in summer 2025 second only to Liverpool and Arsenal. With notable signings like Brian Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesco—totaling £208 million—expectations were high.
Despite spending more time gearing up for matches due to a lack of European commitments, Amorim’s squad only managed a meager haul of points in critical games at the end of his tenure, highlighted by a shocking home loss to 10-man Everton and draws against relegation-threatened teams.
There were a few standout moments, including a first win at Anfield in a decade and reaching the Europa League final; however, the finale was bittersweet as United lost to Tottenham, failing to secure a Champions League spot for the next season.
The Managers Who Followed Ferguson
David Moyes
Upon the banner announcement as ‘The Chosen One’ during Ferguson’s final match, many hoped Moyes would carry on the legacy. However, despite past success at Everton, he struggled to adapt at United, especially with a squad in dire need of transformation. A poor summer transfer window and a challenging start saw him eventually sacked after a seventh-place finish.
Ralf Rangnick
Hired as an interim solution to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Rangnick attempted to implement modern tactics but faced challenges in gaining respect from the team. His tenure ended with poor results, and he acknowledged the club’s profound issues, describing the situation as needing “open-heart surgery.”
Louis van Gaal
With a solid background in European football, Van Gaal had immediate moments of success, such as winning the FA Cup, but his outdated methods led to uninspiring performances, which ultimately put the club in jeopardy with dwindling season ticket sales.
Erik ten Hag
Initially promising, ten Hag’s first season ended on a high note with a major trophy, but his second season was dismal, resulting in an eighth-place finish. Despite minor successes, the expectations created by his first season did not come to fruition, similarly delaying the inevitable sacking.
Jose Mourinho
Considered a strong candidate to succeed Ferguson, Mourinho’s time at United was a mix of highs and lows. While he won several trophies and attracted top talent, his inability to maintain consistent performance and internal conflicts led to a disappointing end.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Taking the reins temporarily turned permanent after impressive early performances, Solskjaer initially galvanized the squad. However, following a series of poor results, including humiliating defeats, he ultimately did not fulfill the potential expected of him at the club.
The frequent changes at Manchester United’s managerial level reflect a deeper ongoing struggle to rebuild and re-establish the club as a top contender, indicative of challenges both in leadership and vision.
Fan Take
The sacking of Amorim highlights the precarious nature of football management at elite clubs like Manchester United. For soccer fans, these developments emphasize the urgent need for stability and clear vision in leadership, shaping not just the trajectory of the club, but the competitive landscape of the sport as a whole.
