Amorim leaves his position with a beaming smile! Revealed to have taken a six-month break, Manchester United still pays his salary; any new club must pay a release fee to hire him.

Manchester United confirmed on Monday the firing of head coach Rúben Amorim, yet the 40-year-old Portuguese seemed neither shocked nor upset. After departing the club, he was seen out shopping with his wife Ana Pinho, sporting sunglasses, smiling widely, exchanging high-fives with passersby, and giving a thumbs-up to the cameras.

British media disclosed that Amorim did not find his dismissal unexpected and had foreseen this result. Although he was optimistic about Manchester United qualifying for the Champions League, especially after the return of three players from the Africa Cup of Nations, he stood firm in requesting the club’s management to sign one or two experienced players during the January transfer window.

Amorim felt there were too many "head coaches" inside and outside Manchester United and believed someone needed to hold decision-making power, ignoring all the noise. Hence, he openly expressed his desire to become a "football director." The Portuguese coach ultimately chose to stand by his principles, believing his coaching career could be revived after leaving Manchester United.

However, Amorim insists he did not deliberately seek to be fired. Two or three sources close to him emphasized to Sky Sports UK that Amorim was genuinely saddened by his dismissal. He clearly told these people that he never aimed to leave for money. He did not want this outcome, despite his comments to the British media seeming to suggest he wanted to depart.

According to Manchester United’s official statement and contract terms, Amorim’s role as head coach has been terminated, but he remains an employee of the club, meaning the Red Devils will continue paying his salary. Therefore, any club wishing to hire Amorim must pay a release fee.

Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano explained: "Amorim’s situation differs from Enzo Maresca’s. Maresca chose to leave Chelsea himself, which is different. Amorim was dismissed. His contract runs until 2027, and his wages are still on Manchester United’s payroll. Unless a club approaches him in the coming months, they can negotiate a release fee."

Reports say Amorim has decided not to accept any club’s offer before the season ends. Although clubs from the Middle East and Brazil have shown interest, he wants to rest and spend time with his family, planning to resume coaching only next season at the earliest.

The mid-season experience of coaching Manchester United also left a shadow on Amorim. He felt that "those above" controlled him too much, leaving him little freedom to implement his desired tactical decisions, especially over the past month.

From Jason Wilcox’s perspective, he also wanted answers. He believed Manchester United performed well when switching to a four-defender formation and didn’t understand why Amorim reverted to three center-backs. Amorim’s reaction was very intense, which led to a breakdown in their relationship and his quick dismissal.

Wilcox, who came from Manchester City, has always preferred the 4-3-3 formation, while Amorim openly stated that the head coach knows the team’s needs better.

British media revealed that Amorim told his friends he was under pressure both inside and outside Manchester United. Although he insisted the job was within his capabilities, the unique challenges of coaching the Red Devils surprised him.

Most players in Manchester United’s dressing room still support Amorim; many have bid farewell to him via social media, though a few welcomed the coaching change. However, recent changes in the team’s formation left them somewhat confused.

The Daily Mail disclosed that before the match against Wolves, Amorim arranged two training sessions focusing on a four-defender setup, but surprisingly announced a 3-4-3 formation in the starting lineup. A source from the dressing room revealed: "Amorim tried to explain, but his words were vague. The players felt he seemed to have lost control. He appeared full of doubts and quite insecure..."

Whether by choice or fate, Amorim is now completely free from the burden, and all problems will fall on Manchester United’s new coach. Romano also mentioned the club’s potential plans: "Regarding the interim head coach, Solskjær would be very willing to return to Manchester United, but that’s all for now. The club has not made any decisions yet, and there is no interim or permanent head coach appointed."