Home SPORTS Ratcliffe Stands Firm Behind Amorim: A Vote of Confidence?

Ratcliffe Stands Firm Behind Amorim: A Vote of Confidence?

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Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has pledged his support for manager Ruben Amorim, giving him three years to prove himself. Find out what this means for the team's future.


“The costs were just too high. There are some fantastic people at Manchester United...”


Manchester United's co-owner, Jim Ratcliffe, has pledged his support for the club's manager, Ruben Amorim, giving him a three-year window to prove himself. Amorim, who took the helm in November 2024, has faced intense scrutiny due to the team's inconsistent performances. Despite United's struggles, Ratcliffe believes Amorim needs time to demonstrate his capabilities as a top-class coach.


Amorim's Tenure So Far:

  • Amorim has won 19 of his 50 matches in charge of United.
  • The team finished 15th in the Premier League last season, their worst finish since 1974.
  • Amorim's appointment came after Erik ten Hag's dismissal, and he's been tasked with turning the team's fortunes around.


The former Sporting Lisbon boss, who was hired by Ratcliffe in November 2024, admitted earlier this term that he had considered quitting during United's darkest moments.


Amorim's side finished 15th in the Premier League last season - their lowest final top-flight position since 1973/74 - and squandered a chance to qualify for the Champions League when they lost the Europa League final to fellow strugglers Tottenham.


Tenth-placed United have fared little better this season, losing three of their first seven league games and crashing to a shock League Cup defeat at fourth-tier Grimsby.


Amorim has yet to record successive Premier League wins since replacing the sacked Erik ten Hag, with a trip to champions Liverpool next up for United after the international break.


Despite the talk that Amorim, whose side beat promoted Sunderland in their last game, remains in danger of being axed Ratcliffe said the 40-year-old would be given time to turn things around.


“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,” Ratcliffe told The Business 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.”


Manchester United's Ownership and Performance

Manchester United's co-owner, Jim Ratcliffe, has taken a firm stance on the team's management, giving Ruben Amorim a three-year window to prove himself as the team's manager. Ratcliffe, who owns just under 30% of United, has been working to turn the team's fortunes around since taking control of football operations in February 2024. Despite the team's struggles, Ratcliffe has expressed confidence in Amorim's abilities, emphasizing that there will be no knee-jerk decisions regarding the manager's future.


The Glazer family, who have owned Manchester United since 2005, remain the majority owners, with Ratcliffe assuring that they support his leadership and won't intervene in Amorim's tenure. This stability is crucial for Amorim, allowing him to focus on implementing his vision for the team.


Manchester United hasn't experienced a championship win since 2013, and their last European trophy was the 2017 Europa League. The team has faced significant challenges, including inconsistent performances and high-profile defeats. Amorim's task is to restore the team's winning mentality and bring success back to Old Trafford.


Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made it clear that he won't bow to pressure from the Glazer family to sack manager Ruben Amorim, stating unequivocally: “It's not going to happen.” Ratcliffe emphasized that he won't make knee-jerk decisions regarding Amorim's future, instead giving him three years to prove himself as a top-class coach.


Ratcliffe's comments come amid speculation about Amorim's job security, with the manager having endured a tough start to the season. United currently sits 10th in the Premier League, having won three, drawn one, and lost three matches. Despite the pressure, Ratcliffe remains committed to supporting Amorim, believing that football success isn't achieved overnight.


The INEOS chief said the Glazers were happy for him to take charge, adding: “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, as complex as Manchester United. We're here with feet on the ground.


“They get a bad rap but they are really nice people and they are really passionate about the club.”


Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United's co-owner, has faced intense criticism for his cost-cutting measures, which have resulted in around 450 job losses and the removal of perks like subsidized staff lunches. The decision to axe free lunches for staff, replacing them with fruit, has been particularly contentious, with some comparing it to a “kick in the teeth” given the club's high-profile spending on player transfers. Ratcliffe's measures aim to reduce costs and return the club to profitability, but supporters argue that the cuts disproportionately affect loyal staff and fans, driving them away from the club.


“The costs were just too high. There are some fantastic people at Manchester United, but there was also a level of mediocrity and it had become bloated,” he said.


“I got a lot of flak for the free lunches, but no-one's ever given me a free lunch.


“The biggest correlation, like it or not, between results and any external factor is profitability. The more cash you have got, the better squad you can build.


“So a lot of what we have done in the first year is spend an awful lot of time putting the club on a sustainable, healthy footing.”
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