Manchester United on Monday announced that Ruben Amorim has departed as head coach of the club, a day after the Portuguese’s outburst in a press conference after their 1-1 draw with Leeds United. The club further stated that former midfielder Darren Fletcher, who has been head coach of the club’s Under-18 team, will be head coach for their upcoming fixture against Burnley in the Premier League.
“Ruben Amorim has departed his role as Head Coach of Manchester United,” said 20-time English league champions in their statement. “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. This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish.
“The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future. Darren Fletcher will take charge of the team against Burnley on Wednesday.”
Amorim’s Sunday outburst
Amorim indicated a breakdown of relations with the club hierarchy in a fiery press conference after United’s 1-1 draw at Elland Road on Sunday. The 40-year-old suggested that the club needed to change if it could not handle commentary from television pundits like former United player Gary Neville.
“If people cannot handle Gary Neville and the criticism of everything, we need to change the club,” he said, before reiterating his core message. “I just want to say that I came here to be the manager ?of Manchester United, not to be the coach. And every department — the scouting department, the sports director — needs to do their job. I will do mine for 18 months and then we move on.”
Amorim had looked downbeat on Friday when discussing potential transfers and the Portuguese coach grew visibly irritated when pressed about whether he still had the board’s confidence. The 40-year-old cut off reporters with a sharp rebuke about “selective information” before launching into an emphatic defence of his position.
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