"Shortly after assuming control of Manchester United in February 2024, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, minority owner and in charge of the club's football operations, gathered his executives for a meeting and said the team's style of play "will be determined in this room." It was curious, then, for some of those present to learn that when Erik ten Hag was sacked in November, the man Ratcliffe wanted to replace him -- Sporting CP boss Amorim -- had a specific coaching philosophy and no history of compromise."
"Ratcliffe was told at the time that hiring Amorim was a risk; he was warned that reshaping the squad to fit a 3-4-3 system -- Amorim's preference after having success with it at Sporting -- would take millions that the club didn't have. There was also concern that the academy teams would have to play the same way. The coaching staff Amorim wanted to bring with him from Portugal was "too young and too inexperienced," according to United staff members."
Ruben Amorim was sacked as Manchester United manager after 14 months, recording 24 wins in 63 games. Sir Jim Ratcliffe insisted the team's style would be set by his executives, but Amorim brought an uncompromising 3-4-3 philosophy and demanded structural changes. Club executives warned his system would require millions and that his preferred coaching staff were too young and inexperienced for United and the academy. CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox delivered the dismissal at Carrington. The dismissal followed a press conference after a 1-1 draw with Leeds in which Amorim demanded to be seen as "manager, not the coach."
Read at ESPN.com
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