Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, has publicly thrown his support behind head coach Ruben Amorim, hailing the Portuguese tactician as an “outstanding young manager” who is poised to lead the club into a new era of success. In a candid and wide-ranging interview with the BBC, conducted on Monday, March 10, Ratcliffe expressed unwavering confidence in Amorim’s ability to turn around the fortunes of the struggling Premier League giants, despite their current 14th-place standing in the league table.
Ratcliffe’s endorsement comes at a critical juncture for Manchester United, who have endured a tumultuous season marked by inconsistent performances and mounting fan frustration. Amorim, who succeeded Erik ten Hag earlier this season, has faced intense scrutiny as he works to implement his tactical vision with a squad Ratcliffe himself described as a mix of underperformers and overpaid stars inherited from previous regimes. Yet, the British billionaire remains optimistic, insisting that Amorim is the right man for the job.
“He is an outstanding young manager and will be here for a very long time,” Ratcliffe said during the interview. “With the squad that he’s got, I think he’s doing a really good job.” The remarks signal a clear commitment to stability, contrasting with the club’s recent history of managerial upheaval. Ratcliffe’s words also suggest that Amorim will be given time and resources to mold the team in his image, a sentiment echoed by posts on X where fans noted the club’s executives are actively supporting the coach with targeted moves in the transfer market.
Amorim, formerly of Sporting Lisbon, has been tasked with reviving a Manchester United side that has not won the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013. Despite a rocky start, Ratcliffe praised the 40-year-old’s early efforts, pointing to his professionalism and tactical acumen. “Ruben is doing an excellent job,” Ratcliffe told Sky Sports’ Gary Neville in a separate conversation, reinforcing his belief that the current squad, though flawed, has the potential to improve under Amorim’s guidance.
The interview also shed light on Ratcliffe’s broader vision for the club, which he took a minority stake in just over a year ago alongside his INEOS group. He acknowledged past mistakes, notably the decision to retain Erik ten Hag over the summer—a move he now admits was an “error”—but emphasized that the focus has shifted to building a sustainable future. “We made the wrong decision,” Ratcliffe conceded, referring to Ten Hag’s tenure, “but we’re on the right path now.”
Ratcliffe’s backing of Amorim has not gone unnoticed by the Manchester United faithful, though sentiment remains divided. While some fans on X hailed the interview as “open, honest, and reasonable,” others continue to protest Ratcliffe’s controversial cost-cutting measures, including mass redundancies and ticket price hikes, which have earned him the nickname “the Jim Reaper” among critics. A recent demonstration before the 1-1 draw against Arsenal underscored this tension, with thousands marching against both Ratcliffe and the Glazer family, who retain majority ownership.
Nevertheless, Ratcliffe remains steadfast in his belief that Amorim can deliver silverware by 2028, a target he reiterated as ambitious yet achievable. “I don’t think it’s mission impossible,” he said. “It’s good to have goals and objectives.” For now, Amorim appears to have the full support of the boardroom, with Ratcliffe’s praise serving as a public vote of confidence in the young manager’s ability to navigate the storm and restore Manchester United to its former glory. Whether that faith translates to success on the pitch, however, remains a question only time—and results—can answer.