Minority owner says head coach needs time to prove himself
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has backed Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim to continue in charge despite growing pressure, saying he will give the Portuguese coach three years to prove himself.
There have been intense calls to sack Amorim, but the Ineos founder dismissed speculation about the manager’s job security, insisting United will not make “kneejerk” decisions in response to poor results.
Amorim was appointed last November but has won just 19 of his 50 games in charge, and only 10 of his 34 Premier League matches, and has struggled to lift United beyond mid-table.
“He’s not had the best of seasons,” Ratcliffe told The Business Podcast. “Ruben needs to demonstrate he’s a great coach over three years. That’s where I would be.
“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.”
United currently sit 10th in the Premier League after a mixed start to the campaign, having finished 15th last season, their lowest league position since 1974. Results have sparked frustration among supporters and serious criticism from pundits.
Ratcliffe’s Ineos group, which owns a 28.94% stake in the club, took control of football operations in 2024, while the Glazers retain majority ownership. Asked whether they had pressured him to dismiss Amorim, Ratcliffe replied: “It’s not going to happen.”
He also said United were in the middle of a financial rebuild which would be the foundation for future success. The club recently announced record revenues of £666.5m but still posted a £33m loss.
Ratcliffe believes the club can become “the most profitable football club in the world” once restructuring efforts take hold.
“The more cash you have got, the better squad you can build. It’s like a Formula One car: the better car you can build, the quicker you go. The better your squad, the better your football should be.
“Manchester United will become the most profitable football club in the world, in my view, and from that will stem, I hope, a long-term, sustainable, high-level of football.”
