Ruben Amorim is out as coach of Manchester United after just 14 months in the job.
The Premier League club announced on Monday that Amorim’s reign was over — with the decision coming a day after he made provocative comments about his position following a 1-1 draw with Leeds.
“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 on Wednesday.
The Portuguese oversaw a slew of unwanted records at the 20-time English champion including its lowest finish in the Premier League era last season. The United job has proved one of the most difficult in world soccer since club legend Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, with Amorim the sixth permanent manager or coach to be discarded in that time.
Amorim apologized to fans at the end of last season for what he described as a “disastrous” campaign when United finished 15th in the standings, recorded its highest number of losses in a Premier League season and lowest points total.
Last week there were reports that figures at the club had questioned his tactics.
On Sunday he 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.”
