Manchester United: Who Will Be The Next Manager after Ruben Amorim?

Manchester United FC has officially ended its partnership with Ruben Amorim after 14 months, sparking speculation about who will be the next permanent manager at Old Trafford.

Manchester United: Who Will Be The Next Manager after Ruben Amorim?
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Manchester United FC has officially ended its partnership with Ruben Amorim after 14 months, sparking speculation about who will be the next permanent manager at Old Trafford.

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Manchester United FC officially announced the termination of its partnership with manager Ruben Amorim on Monday, January 5, 2026.

This decision was made after Amorim had been in charge for approximately 14 months, starting in November 2024.

Tensions between Amorim and the club's management were said to be the main trigger behind this decision.

This came to a head after a 1-1 draw against Leeds United, in which Amorim openly criticized the club's top brass regarding transfer policy.

He demanded full authority as a manager, not just as a head coach, indicating a profound difference in philosophy.

During his tenure, Amorim recorded a relatively low win percentage of 38.71 percent in 63 matches across all competitions.

Darren Fletcher Appointed as Interim Manager

Responding to this situation, Gary Neville, former Manchester United FC full-back, urged the club to "stop experimenting" in its managerial selection.

He emphasized the importance of appointing a manager who "fits the club's DNA."

For the time being, control of Manchester United FC's first team is now in the hands of Darren Fletcher.

The former Red Devils' star midfielder has been appointed as interim manager to lead the team.

This appointment is expected to provide temporary stability while management searches for the right permanent figure.

Fletcher is no stranger to the Old Trafford environment; he previously served as coach of the U-18 team and has experience as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag.

His first task will be to lead the team in a Premier League match against Burnley.

Permanent Managerial Candidates

Manchester United FC management is reportedly in no rush to appoint a new permanent manager.

They plan to wait until the summer, when more qualified managerial options will become available on the transfer market.

Several big names have emerged as strong candidates to fill the permanent managerial position following the departure of Ruben Amorim.

  • Gareth Southgate: Gareth Southgate's name almost always comes up in every major speculation regarding Manchester United FC. The 54-year-old coach is known to be admired by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the club's part-owner. Sporting Director Jason Wilcox also respects Southgate's track record, indicating a shared vision among the club's top brass.
  • Enzo Maresca: Enzo Maresca is an attractive candidate due to his newly available status after being released by Chelsea. His track record has been quite solid in his short time. Maresca successfully led Chelsea back to the Champions League and won the 2025 Club World Cup.ity.
  • Xavi Hernandez: Spanish football legend Xavi Hernandez is currently without a club since leaving Barcelona in 2024. His reputation remains high after delivering the La Liga title and the Spanish Super Cup in 2023 amid Barcelona's financial constraints.
  • Oliver Glasner: Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner has emerged as a prime candidate attracting the attention of Manchester United FC management. The club highly values ​​the Austrian manager's achievements at Crystal Palace over the past two years. Glasner led Crystal Palace to their first FA Cup victory in the 2024/2025 season and defeated Manchester City in the Community Shield.