The Last Word with Matt Cooper Manchester United Sack Ruben Amorim
Jan 5, 2026
Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer at The Independent, and broadcaster Will O'Callaghan dive into the recent sacking of Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim after a tumultuous 14 months. They discuss how his dismissal highlights deeper issues within the club under the Glazers and Jim Ratcliffe. The pair debate Amorim's tactical rigidity, recruitment challenges, and the impact of managerial pressure on stability. Additionally, they explore potential interim choices and summer targets, amid broader trends in European football management.
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Ratcliffe Shaped The Amorim Era
- Jim Ratcliffe's involvement shaped Ruben Amorim's appointment and sums up United's recurring dysfunction.
- The decision reflects persistent structural tensions between head coach power and football executives.
Power Struggle Between Coach And Executives
- There is a modern tension at United over how much power a head coach should have versus football executives.
- Amorim's appointment and exit exposed contradictions in the club's structure under Ratcliffe.
Early Ratcliffe Choices Have Faltered
- Ratcliffe's early personnel decisions (Ten Hag, Dan Ashworth, Amorim) have so far produced poor outcomes.
- The pattern suggests flawed recruitment and governance rather than isolated mistakes.