World chess champion Magnus Carlsen has aimed a sharp, sarcastic dig at Manchester United's leadership following their decision to sack manager Ruben Amorim, suggesting the club was slow to recognise the obvious.
Carlsen's 'I Told You So' Moment on Social Media
The five-time World Chess Champion, a vocal critic throughout Amorim's time at Old Trafford, reacted to the news with a brief, eight-word post on X (formerly Twitter). "Just took them a year to see it," Carlsen wrote. This tweet was a quote of his own post from January 2025, where he had simply stated "Amorim Out" after United suffered their 10th Premier League defeat of that season, a 1-3 loss to Brighton at home.
Carlsen's wish was finally granted on Monday, January 5, 2026. Amorim's turbulent 14-month reign ended abruptly, just a day after he passionately defended his role and vowed not to quit following a disappointing 1-1 draw with Leeds United.
The Numbers Behind Amorim's Failed Tenure
The 40-year-old Portuguese coach, who took over from Erik ten Hag in November 2024, struggled immensely to impose his style or deliver results. His tenure ended with a deeply unimpressive statistical record. In 63 games across all competitions, Amorim oversaw only 24 wins, 18 draws, and 21 defeats, translating to a win percentage of just 38.1%.
His Premier League record was even more damning. With a league win rate of only 32%, he registered the worst such record of any Manchester United manager in the Premier League era. This left the historic club completely out of title contention. He ended his first season in 15th place – the club's worst finish since relegation in 1974 – and also lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
Club Statement and the Final Straw
In an official statement, the club explained the decision, citing the need for a change to salvage the season. "With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change. This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish," the release read.
The final trigger appeared to be the Leeds United draw, which was part of a miserable run of just three wins in the last eleven matches. This result provoked an uncharacteristically fiery outburst from the usually mild-mannered coach in a press conference. He bristled at questions about his future, defiantly stating that he came to United as a manager with full authority, not merely a coach taking orders.
Amorim had arrived at Manchester United with a strong reputation built at Portugal's Sporting Lisbon. However, he failed to make any immediate positive impact, and his stubborn tactical approach, including a persistent use of a back-three formation, was widely criticised as the team's performances and results failed to improve.
