Manchester United officially announced that Ruben Amorim has stepped down from his position as the club's manager, with Darren Fletcher named as the interim boss.
Manchester United’s senior management has made it clear that Sir Alex Ferguson will not be consulted in the process of selecting the club’s next permanent manager. This decision could have a far-reaching impact on the club’s long-term future.
The club’s owners, the Glazer family, chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team believe that this managerial appointment is a crucial decision that will determine the club’s long-term development direction, and should be fully completed independently by the current management. It is reported that football director Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada will lead the selection process, and they are confident in making the right choice without relying on Ferguson’s influence.
Manchester United is expected to announce the appointment of an interim manager next week, with a permanent manager to be officially appointed in the summer. The current list of candidates includes Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti and Mauricio Pochettino. Notably, this will be United’s third full-time manager since 2024, and the seventh since Ferguson retired in 2013.
Although Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down from his role as global ambassador in 2024 due to the club’s cost-cutting measures, he remains an important symbol of the club. He often attends matches and even met with senior management at the Carrington Training Ground within 24 hours of Ruben Amorim’s sacking. Ferguson has long been a staunch supporter of Pochettino, having previously pushed for him to take charge of United, and his close relationship with Ancelotti is also well known.
This decision comes as former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, in his commentary on Sky Sports, sharply criticised Ferguson and former chief executive David Gill for “lingering around the club like a bad smell”, questioning whether they are still influencing decisions behind the scenes.
Keane said bluntly: “Who exactly is making the decisions? Is it Ratcliffe, Wilcox? Who is responsible for the interview process, to meet the candidates and say ‘this is the one we want’?” In addition, Keane strongly recommended Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe as United’s new boss, admiring his coaching style, experience and calm temperament, believing that this is exactly the quality United needs right now.
Although Ferguson will not be formally consulted, this does not prevent him from voluntarily expressing his views to the club. However, the management’s clear stance on making independent decisions this time is regarded as an important symbol of Manchester United’s new era management model—respecting the legend while firmly entrusting the future to the current responsible team.
