Manchester United have made headlines worldwide after Ruben Amorim was officially sacked as head coach, ending a turbulent 14-month reign at Old Trafford. Here’s everything you need to know about the situation — from why he was dismissed to his salary and clarification on claims about religion.
Ruben Amorim: Sacked by Manchester United
Yes — Ruben Amorim has been sacked as Manchester United head coach.
The club confirmed his departure on 5 January 2026, just hours after a controversial press conference following a 1-1 draw at Leeds United. The decision came amid a string of disappointing results and growing tensions with the club hierarchy.
Sources highlight several reasons for the sacking:
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Poor Premier League results – United sit sixth and have one of their lowest win rates under his leadership.
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Boardroom disagreements – Amorim publicly clashed with director of football Jason Wilcox and other officials.
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Tactical rigidity – His insistence on his preferred system reportedly frustrated senior leadership.
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Power struggle over transfers – Disagreements about recruitment and lack of clarity on January window plans also played a part.
Interim coach Darren Fletcher has been appointed to take charge while United seek a long-term replacement.
What Did He Say Before Being Sacked?
Amorim’s final press conference quickly became the defining moment of his tenure. Rather than expressing insecurity, he defended his role and authority.
Here are the key things he publicly stated:
He came to Manchester United “to be the manager, not just the coach.”
This comment underlined his frustration with perceived limitations on his influence.
He said he was “not going to quit” and intended to see his contract through unless the club decided otherwise.
He criticized selective media narratives and pundits, including comments about how criticism from figures like Gary Neville was impacting the club.
This bold stance — especially publicly calling out internal club structures — is widely seen as a major tipping point leading to his dismissal.
Salary and Financial Details
Ruben Amorim was one of the better-paid managers in the Premier League during his time at Manchester United. While exact figures vary, multiple sources estimate:
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Annual Salary: Around £6.5 million per year.
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Total Contract Value: His contract through 2027 was reportedly worth about £19.5 million in wages alone.
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Compensation/Severance: United are expected to pay most of the remaining contract value — nearly £9-10 million — because of clauses preventing a discounted payout.
This makes the financial impact of his departure significant, even if United made the decision to move on for performance reasons.
Was Ruben Amorim Jewish? (Clarifying the Rumour)
No credible evidence shows that Ruben Amorim is Jewish.
According to biographical and public records, his religion is listed as Christianity, and he has not publicly discussed any Jewish identity.
The surname Amorim is an old Portuguese name — sometimes linked historically to Portuguese Jewish (Sephardic) origins in general surname etymology, but that does not mean Ruben is Jewish himself.
So any connection between Amorim and being Jewish appears to be rumour or misconception, not a fact.
Final Thoughts
Ruben Amorim’s dismissal from Manchester United marks another turbulent chapter in the club’s post-Ferguson era. While he brought bold ideas and a strong personality, public clashes with the club’s leadership and underwhelming results made his position untenable.
Summary:
Sacked after 14 months in charge.
Salary was among the Premier League’s highest.
Public statements defending his authority preceded the sacking.
No evidence that he is Jewish — his religion is described as Christian.
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