Ruben Amorim Ready to Walk Away Before Manchester United Axe – A £12m Decision That Says Everything

Manchester United’s turbulent post-Sir Alex Ferguson era has produced many costly chapters, but few have unfolded with quite as much quiet drama as the end of Ruben Amorim’s reign at Old Trafford. Long before the club officially pulled the trigger, it now appears the Portuguese coach was already preparing to step aside himself — a decision that, had it gone through, would have saved United more than £12 million.

Instead, Amorim stayed. And United paid the price.

Ruben Amorim and the Manchester United Exit That Nearly Happened

According to reports that emerged in the days following his dismissal, Ruben Amorim was ready to resign just days before Manchester United formally ended his 14-month spell as manager. Frustrated, isolated and increasingly disillusioned, the 40-year-old had reportedly told people close to him that he was prepared to walk away from what had become an impossible job.

The breaking point came ahead of a Premier League clash with Leeds United at Elland Road. Behind the scenes, Amorim was involved in a heated exchange with director of football Jason Wilcox — a confrontation that laid bare the fractures between manager and hierarchy.

It was after that argument, according to reports, that Amorim told friends he was resigning. The sense was that he felt undermined, short of authority, and caught between expectations and a lack of backing. For a coach who had arrived from Sporting CP with a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young managers, the reality of Old Trafford had become overwhelming.

Why Amorim Changed His Mind – And Why It Cost United Dearly

Crucially, Amorim did not follow through with his resignation. After speaking with his agent, Raul Costa, he was advised to hold his ground. The message was simple: Manchester United needed to either back him publicly or sack him outright.

By choosing not to quit, Amorim ensured that any departure would trigger a significant compensation package. Less than 24 hours after he publicly insisted he would not resign, United made their move. Amorim was sacked, and the club immediately became liable for a £12 million payoff.

Had he resigned, that figure would have vanished. Instead, United added yet another expensive line to a growing list of managerial write-offs since 2013 — a total now approaching £100 million.

Ruben Amorim Speaks Out on Power and Authority at Man Utd

The tension had already spilled into the public domain following a 1-1 draw with Leeds, when Amorim delivered one of his most revealing press conferences. His words hinted strongly at a man who felt stripped of real control.

“I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United,” Amorim said. “That is clear. I know my name is not Tuchel, not Conte, not Mourinho, but I’m the manager of Manchester United.”

It was a striking statement, heavy with frustration. Amorim appeared to be drawing a line between being a figurehead on the touchline and being the genuine decision-maker behind the scenes. He even suggested he would stay until the board decided otherwise.

“I’m not going to quit. I will do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me,” he added.

Those words proved prophetic — just not in the way he expected.

A Club Backed Into a Corner

From United’s perspective, Amorim’s comments left little room to manoeuvre. Senior figures, including Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada, reportedly felt the situation had become untenable. Publicly challenging the club’s structure and authority was viewed as crossing a line.

Another meeting was held. The outcome was swift and decisive. Amorim was informed that United would be moving in a different direction.

What followed was familiar: statements of thanks, polite farewells, and another sizeable compensation cheque written by a club still searching for stability more than a decade after Ferguson’s retirement.

The Cost of Sacking Ruben Amorim

The financial implications were immediate. Amorim is understood to be owed around £12 million as part of his severance package. That figure contributes to an extraordinary cumulative cost for Manchester United, who have spent close to £100 million paying off managers since 2013.

From David Moyes to Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag and now Amorim, the pattern is painfully consistent: bold appointment, early optimism, structural friction, and an expensive exit.

In Amorim’s case, the irony is sharp. United could have avoided the payout entirely had he resigned when he first considered it. Instead, he stayed — and the bill landed on the club’s desk.

Voices from the Dressing Room and Backroom

Amorim’s assistant, Carlos Fernandes, was among the first to speak publicly after the dismissal. His message, posted on social media, struck a tone of dignity rather than bitterness.

“Thank you, Manchester United,” he wrote. “Thank you to the world-class players I had the privilege to coach. Thank you to the staff members who showed true support. Thank you to the fans who stood by us.”

His words hinted at an environment that tested more than just tactical knowledge. “Working at a football club of this dimension doesn’t just test your knowledge — it reveals character,” Fernandes added.

It felt like a quiet acknowledgment of the pressure cooker that is modern-day Manchester United.

What Next for Manchester United After Amorim?

In the immediate aftermath, United turned inward. Darren Fletcher was initially placed in caretaker charge, stepping up from his role with the under-18s. Results were mixed at best: a frustrating draw with Burnley followed by an FA Cup exit to Brighton.

Now, the reins have been handed to Michael Carrick. Another former United midfielder, Carrick has been appointed interim manager until the end of the season, with the club planning a full search for a permanent successor in the summer.

Carrick’s task is daunting. His first match is a derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford, followed by a trip to the Emirates to face league leaders Arsenal. It is a brutal introduction — and a reminder that, at United, there are no gentle transitions.

Ruben Amorim and a Familiar United Story

For Ruben Amorim, the Manchester United chapter ends in frustration and what-ifs. For the club, it is another reminder that changing the man on the touchline does not automatically fix deeper structural problems.

That Amorim was ready to resign before being sacked only sharpens the sense of dysfunction. A manager prepared to walk away, a board unwilling to blink first, and a £12 million compromise that leaves everyone bruised.

At Old Trafford, the search for clarity, authority and long-term vision goes on. And once again, it comes at a heavy price.