Just days after his abrupt dismissal from Manchester United, former head coach Ruben Amorim was photographed outside his Cheshire home, appearing relaxed and smiling alongside his wife, Maria Joao Diogo. The sighting, captured on January 6, 2026, came hours after Amorim was informed of his sacking at the club’s Carrington training ground, where he reportedly packed his belongings and left swiftly. Dressed in winter attire—Amorim in a black puffer jacket and jeans, his wife in a beige coat and cap—the couple was seen strolling casually, a stark contrast to the turmoil engulfing Old Trafford. Social media erupted with the images, shared widely on platforms like X, prompting questions about why the 40-year-old Portuguese tactician remains in the Manchester area and what his future holds.

Amorim’s tenure at United ended on January 5, 2026, after 14 months in charge, marking the latest chapter in the club’s post-Sir Alex Ferguson instability. Appointed in November 2024 following Erik ten Hag’s departure, Amorim arrived from Sporting CP with a reputation for tactical innovation and success, having secured two Portuguese league titles. However, his time at United was marred by inconsistent results, internal conflicts, and a failure to implement his preferred 3-4-2-1 system effectively. At the time of his sacking, United sat sixth in the Premier League, with a win rate of just 31.9% across 47 top-flight games—the lowest for any permanent manager in the club’s Premier League history. The team had won only 15 matches, drawing 13 and losing 19, while conceding an average of 1.53 goals per game.

The decision to part ways came amid growing tensions between Amorim and the club’s hierarchy, led by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team. Sources indicate that Amorim’s emotional and inconsistent behavior played a role in the board’s choice, as did his public frustrations with recruitment and the club’s structure. In a post-match press conference following a 1-1 draw with Leeds United on January 4, Amorim emphasized his role as “manager” rather than “head coach,” hinting at disputes over transfer policy and departmental responsibilities. “Every department, the scouting department, the sport director, needs to do their job, and I’ll do mine, for 18 months,” he said, a statement interpreted as a jab at chief executive Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox.

United’s statement on the sacking was concise: “Ruben Amorim has departed his role as Head Coach of Manchester United.” The club thanked him for his contributions and wished him well, noting the move was made to give the team “the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish.” Amorim, who managed 47 Premier League games starting with a back-three formation in 45 of them, oversaw a period of highs and lows. Early promise included a run of three consecutive wins in October 2025 against Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton, but defeats like the penalty shootout loss to League Two Grimsby in the Carabao Cup highlighted deeper issues.

Behind the scenes, recruitment clashes were central to the fallout. Amorim pushed for players like Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, preferring proven Premier League talent over younger prospects. The board’s reluctance to back his targets—citing alignment with a potential future coach—exacerbated tensions. He also expressed a need for more “crazy guys” in the squad after the 2025 summer window, seen as criticism of the board for missing out on players like Lisandro Martinez. Training sessions reportedly saw Amorim experimenting with a back four, only to revert to his favored three-man defense in matches, leading to player confusion and a lack of faith in his leadership.

The financial implications of the sacking are significant. United is set to pay around £10 million ($13.5 million) in compensation to Amorim and his staff, adding to a staggering total of over £50 million spent on managerial payouts since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. This includes settlements for predecessors like Ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Jose Mourinho, and others. Ratcliffe, who had publicly supported Amorim in October 2025, calling for a three-year timeline to prove himself, ultimately pulled the trigger amid mounting pressure.

In the immediate aftermath, Amorim’s hurried exit from Carrington—packing a box and saying quick goodbyes—suggested a clean break. Yet, his continued presence in Cheshire, a affluent area popular with footballers near Manchester, has sparked speculation. Sources suggest he may be handling personal affairs, including relocating his family, or negotiating final severance details. The smiling photos, showing the couple in sunglasses and winter gear, contrast with Amorim’s sullen demeanor in his final press conference, leading some fans to theorize he’s relieved or even plotting a return to management elsewhere.

Social media reactions have been swift and divided. Posts on X, including one from ESPN UK garnering over 30,000 views, captioned the sighting with “👀,” fueling debates. Fan accounts like @henryofchelsea1 joked, “My man the enjoy himself make u all free am he don too suffer 😭,” while others expressed frustration with United’s ongoing “forever crisis.” Pundits like Gary Neville and Roy Keane have weighed in, with Neville calling the situation “predictable” on Sky Sports, and Keane dismissing links to himself on his podcast.

United’s search for a successor is underway, with the club planning an interim appointment for the remainder of the season. Names floated include Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, who shares Amorim’s tactical preferences but offers more flexibility, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, and former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca. Thomas Tuchel, now England manager, was considered in 2024 but may be unavailable until after the 2026 World Cup. Club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy or technical director Darren Fletcher could step in temporarily, with the latter already handling sessions.

The squad Amorim leaves behind includes talents like Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford, who some believe could reignite under new leadership. However, defensive frailties and a lack of cohesion persist, with the team facing Brighton in the FA Cup third round on January 11. Ratcliffe’s vision for a data-driven rebuild continues, but fan discontent is palpable, with calls for a vote of no confidence in the ownership.

Amorim’s next step remains unclear. Linked to clubs in Portugal and beyond, his track record at Sporting—where he ended a 19-year title drought—suggests a quick rebound. For now, his lingering in Manchester serves as a reminder of the Premier League’s ruthlessness. As one source told ESPN, doubts about Amorim existed from the start, with Ratcliffe emphasizing a unified style of play that never fully materialized.

This episode underscores United’s challenges: six managers since Ferguson, no league title in 13 years, and a cycle of hope followed by disappointment. As the club moves forward, Amorim’s smiling exit photo may symbolize relief for him—but for United fans, the search for stability continues.