Ruben Amorim Sacked: Why Man Utd Fired Him & New AC Milan Job

Few football managers have seen their career arc shift as dramatically as Ruben Amorim, who in just over a year went from leading Manchester United to a Europa League final to being sacked and then handed a fresh start at AC Milan. Here’s the full story of what happened, why it happened, and what comes next for the 41-year-old.

Appointed Manchester United head coach: November 2024 ·
Sacked by Manchester United: After 14 months in charge ·
New role: AC Milan head coach (confirmed June 2026) ·
Age: 41 (born 27 January 1985) ·
Children: 2

Six key facts about Ruben Amorim’s career, one pattern: a rapid rise, a brutal fall, and a swift reset in Italian football.

What has happened to Ruben Amorim?

Amorim sacked by Manchester United after 14 months

• Manchester United confirmed on 5 January 2026 that Amorim had left his role as head coach after 14 months in charge (BBC Sport).
• His dismissal came a day after a 1-1 draw against Leeds United, a result that left the club sixth in the Premier League (Reuters report).
• Amorim’s first season ended with Manchester United finishing 15th in the Premier League, their lowest ranking since relegation in 1974 (ESPN record summary).

Appointed AC Milan head coach in June 2026

• On 16 June 2026, AC Milan announced Amorim as the new head coach of the men’s first team (AC Milan official announcement).
• The deal runs until 30 June 2028, with his title remaining head coach (Sky Sports report).
• Italian media suggested Amorim would waive the remaining salary owed to him by Manchester United to secure the move (BBC Sport).

The contrast between his United exit and Milan arrival underscores the volatility of modern football management.

Why did Manchester United sack Ruben Amorim?

Poor results in the Premier League

• Manchester United ended Amorim’s first season in 15th place, their worst league finish in 52 years (Reuters report).
• ESPN reported that Amorim won 24 of his 63 games in charge, a win rate of just 38% (ESPN analysis).
• By the time of his sacking, Manchester United were sixth in the league, but the board felt results did not meet expectations (Reuters report).

Club statement on his departure

“Manchester United confirms that Ruben Amorim has left his role as head coach. We thank him for his efforts and wish him well for the future.”

Manchester United (via BBC Sport)

• The club appointed Darren Fletcher to oversee the team for the next Premier League match (BBC Sport).
• The Athletic reported that Amorim and his staff were set to receive around £10 million in compensation (The Athletic report).

The decision, however, came at a substantial financial cost, limiting the club’s options for a replacement.

Why did Liverpool reject Amorim?

Two reasons cited by Liverpool

• Liverpool had two specific reasons for rejecting Amorim as a candidate before he joined Manchester United, though the exact details remain unclear. The Athletic reported that the club’s hierarchy questioned his tactical adaptability and experience at elite level (The Athletic report).
• ESPN noted that Amorim was considered but ultimately passed over for a more established name (ESPN analysis).

Klopp’s own rejection of Manchester United

• Jurgen Klopp had previously rejected the opportunity to manage Manchester United, citing a need for a break from football (The Athletic report).
• Klopp’s decision was separate from the Amorim rejection, but it highlighted the club’s difficulty in attracting top-tier managers.

This rejection, combined with Klopp’s refusal, painted a picture of a club struggling to attract top-tier talent.

Who will replace Ruben Amorim as Manchester United manager?

Potential candidates

• Several names have been linked to the Manchester United job following Amorim’s departure. ESPN reported that the club’s shortlist includes experienced managers and up-and-coming coaches (ESPN analysis). The club’s struggle to find a long-term successor echoes the challenges faced after the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.
• ITVX published a list of possible replacements, including Thomas Tuchel, Gareth Southgate, and Zinedine Zidane (ITVX report).
• The club appointed Darren Fletcher as interim manager for the immediate next match (BBC Sport).

The club’s immediate focus remains on stability, but the long-term search will test the board’s patience.

Does Ruben Amorim have children?

Number of children

• Ruben Amorim has two children (Transfermarkt profile).
• He is married to his wife, though the couple keep their family life private. Like other football figures such as Jack Wilshere, Amorim keeps his family life private.

Wife and family life

• Amorim’s wife and children have been seen at matches, including the Europa League final in 2025.
• Amorim has spoken in interviews about the importance of family support during his managerial career.

Amorim keeps his personal life private, but his family has been a constant support throughout his career.

Amorim’s 14 months at Manchester United were a cautionary tale of a promising manager struggling with a squad in decline. His swift move to AC Milan offers a reset, but the pressure is on. For the Portuguese coach, the choice is clear: prove his methods can work in Serie A, or risk being remembered as a one-club wonder who flamed out at the biggest stage. For Manchester United, the search for a stable identity continues.