Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the minority owner of Manchester United, has publicly stated that he will not make any "knee-jerk" decisions regarding the future of the club's head coach, Ruben Amorim. This declaration comes amidst a challenging period for Amorim, who is approaching his first anniversary at Old Trafford, but has faced constant scrutiny due to the team's inconsistent performance.
Ratcliffe has expressed his commitment to giving Amorim time to prove himself, suggesting that the Portuguese coach will have three years to demonstrate his capabilities. This timeline is intended to provide stability and allow Amorim to implement his vision for the team without the pressure of immediate results. Ratcliffe referenced Mikel Arteta's early struggles at Arsenal, highlighting that success in football often requires time and patience. "Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That's where I would be," Ratcliffe said. "Because football is not overnight".
Amorim's tenure at Manchester United has been marked by inconsistency. Last season, the team finished in 15th place, their worst top-flight finish since 1974. They also lost a European final. This season, after seven Premier League games, United are in 10th position. They were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two side Grimsby in August. Despite the poor results, Ratcliffe believes that underlying data and metrics indicate improvement. The team's performances against Arsenal, Burnley and Sunderland have shown promise. The Manchester United squad are also reportedly behind Ruben Amorim. According to Sky Sports News, United's director of football Jason Wilcox has gauged the opinion of some of the United players and the consensus is that the squad are happy with Amorim.
Amorim himself is aware of the pressure and has admitted that his job could be at risk if results do not improve. He has even offered to resign if he is not the right man for the job. However, Ratcliffe's public backing provides a significant boost for the manager, signaling that the club is committed to a long-term project under his leadership.
Ratcliffe's INEOS group has controlled football operations at Manchester United since February 2024. When asked about the possibility of the Glazer family, who maintain majority ownership, wanting to sack Amorim, Ratcliffe dismissed the idea. He emphasized that the Glazers are happy for him to take charge of football operations. "We're local and they're the other side of the pond," Ratcliffe said, highlighting the difference in their involvement with the club's day-to-day operations. He also said that the Glazers are "really nice people and they are really passionate about the club".
Ratcliffe's patience with Amorim reflects a broader strategy of building a sustainable, high-level football club. He believes that Manchester United has the potential to become the most profitable football club in the world, which will lead to long-term success on the pitch. This vision requires a steady approach, rather than impulsive decisions based on short-term results.
