Manchester United will not make 'knee-jerk' decision with 'great coach' Ruben Amorim's future, says Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Published 08/10/2025 at 20:07 GMT+1
Manchester United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly backed head coach Ruben Amorim, saying he deserves "three years" to prove he is a "great coach". Amorim was appointed as Erik ten Hag's successor in November 2024 but did not turn around United's fortunes, leading them to a record lowest-ever finish in the Premier League era and enduring an equally tough start to the new campaign.
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Manchester United will not make "knee-jerk" decisions regarding Ruben Amorim's future, and he needs "three years" to prove his worth as head coach, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has said.
United's struggles since Amorim's appointment in November 2024 have led to consistent pressure on the Portuguese coach, who was appointed in the wake of Erik ten Hag's dismissal.
Amorim has won 19 of his 50 matches in charge of United, and Saturday's 2-0 victory over Sunderland was United's third of the season. Ratcliffe recognised the stuttering start to the 2025/26 campaign, but said the hierarchy will not be reactionary in the face of early-season adversity.
"He has not had the best of seasons. Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That's where I would be," he told The Business, a podcast produced by The Times and The Sunday Times.
"The press, sometimes I don't understand. They want overnight success. They think it's a light switch. You know, you flick a switch and it's all going to be roses tomorrow.
"You can't run a club like Manchester United on knee-jerk reactions to some journalist who goes off on one every week."
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Amorim inherited a difficult situation, with his appointment coming after Ten Hag had won just three of United's opening nine Premier League matches of the 2024/25 season.
He went on to lead United to a 15th-placed finish, their lowest ever recorded in the Premier League era, and while advancing to the UEFA Europa League final, his side were defeated 1-0 by Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao to ensure a trophyless season.
Asked if Amorim would be granted three years in the job, Ratcliffe replied: "Yes. That is where I would be. Three years. Because football is not overnight."
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The Ineos chairman and CEO compared Amorim's position to that of Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, with the Spaniard having endured some difficult early moments in the job before comfortably establishing his side as among the best in the Premier League.
Ratcliffe said: "You also look at Arteta at Arsenal. He had a miserable time over the first couple of years. We have to be patient. We have a long-term plan. It isn't a light switch."
Billionare Ratcliffe completed the purchase of his minority stake in United in February 2024.
Asked what would be the outcome if United's majority owners - the Glazer family - told him to sack Amorim, Ratcliffe responded: "It's not going to happen."
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"That probably sums it up. We're local and they're the other side of the pond. That's a long way away to try and manage a football club as big and complex as Manchester United. We're here with feet on the ground.
"They [the Glazers] get a bad rap... but they are really nice people, and they are really passionate about the club."
United are currently 10th in the Premier League, with their three Premier League victories this season coming in their last five matches.
They return to action away at champions Liverpool on October 19.
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