Ruben Amorim is out as coach of Manchester United after just 14 months in the job.
The Premier League club announced today that Amorim's reign was over, with the decision coming less than 24 hours after he made provocative comments about his position within United's hierarchy.
“With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change,” United said in a statement. “This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish.”
United said youth coach Darren Fletcher would take charge of its match against Burnley this week, but did not set a timeframe for a permanent replacement.
'I'm not going to quit'
Amorim's departure comes after a fallout with United sporting director Jason Wilcox, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the details have not been made public.
The person said Wilcox tried to provide feedback following the disappointing 1-1 home draw against last-placed Wolves last week, which Amorim did not react well to.
That preceded Amorim's outburst, following another draw, against newly-promoted Leeds, when the Portuguese sought to clarify his position.
“I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United,” he said. “And that is clear.
“I’m not going to quit. I will do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me.”
The United job has proved one of the most difficult in world football since club legend Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, with Amorim the sixth permanent manager or coach to be discarded in that time.
He leaves the 20-time English champion having failed to deliver any silverware and after overseeing a slew of unwanted records, including its lowest finish in the Premier League era last season.
Last January he said his team might be the worst in the club’s history.
And he apologised to fans in May for what he described as a “disastrous” campaign when United finished 15th in the standings, recorded its highest number of losses in the modern era and lowest points total.
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