This is the endpublished at 16:59 GMT 5 January
Well folks, like Manchester United, we have “reluctantly” decided that it’s “the right time” to bring this live to an end.
It’s been a big one. Thanks for joining us as we reacted to the shock sacking of Ruben Amorim.
Was it a shock? Not if you were listening carefully to his Friday press conference, when Amorim issued a cryptic ultimatum to the board, inviting them either to back him in the transfer window or bin him off.
The club chose to do the latter and sources cited a lack of evidence of evolution as the key factor in their decision.
Meanwhile, BBC Sport Manchester United reporter Simon Stone put the dismissal down to a difference in interpretation of the suggestions which were handed to Amorim by the club leadership – was it overbearing ‘interference’ or standard ‘feedback’?
Spurs manager Thomas Frank wouldn’t guess what had gone on behind the scenes, but did observe that “alignment” between head coach, leadership and ownership is the key ingredient for success.
Then former Man Utd striker Michael Owen weighed in to say it was “probably the right call”.
‘Disgrace’ was a popular word among the Man Utd fans who texted into the BBC (there were a lot of you – though I’m not sure the Yorkshireman who wrote in to suggest Big Steve Bruce necessarily had the club’s best interests at heart).
All this after Sir Jim Ratcliffe said in March 2025 that he saw Amorim being part of the club “for a long time”.
What a difference nine months can make.
For now, the club is in the hands of 2007-2008 Champions League winner Darren Fletcher, before he hands over to an as yet unknown caretaker manager until the end of the season, when a permanent manager will be appointed in good time to prepare for the 2026-2027 Premier League season.
Who will that be? There’s some big names in the list of out-of-work managers – but the list will be bigger at the end of the 2026 World Cup.
Whether you’re a believer in the 3-4-3 or a four-at-the-back fan, we thank you for joining us today. If you want more on Amorim’s exit, what it means for the club, and who could fill his shoes, there’s more to come elsewhere:
Tune into Monday Night Club from 19:00 GMT as Chris Sutton, Rory Smith, and Izzy Christiansen join Mark Chapman to react to the sacking. Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds or watch on BBC iPlayer and YouTube, external.
From 18:00 GMT, there’s a two-hour Total Sport special as BBC Radio Manchester discuss the news live.
And we’ll be back tomorrow with the very latest from managers across the Premier League, including – maybe – Darren Fletcher.
Image source, Getty Images
