Ferdinand shares inside scoop on Man Utd WhatsApps after Amorim sacked | Football | Sport
Rio Ferdinand, the former Manchester United defender, has revealed that the WhatsApp group chat with ex-Reds players is buzzing with chat following the news of Ruben Amorim’s dismissal. Darren Fletcher, a former teammate, will step in as caretaker manager, with his first game at the helm against Burnley later this week.
Amorim presided over United’s worst-ever Premier League finish and suffered defeat in the Europa League final at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur. Despite an improved performance this season, securing 31 points from 20 matches, consecutive draws against relegation-threatened Wolves and Leeds United led to a shocking revelation in Amorim’s last press conference as United’s manager.
The Portuguese coach publicly criticised United’s management, and his tense relationship with Jason Wilcox became public knowledge. On his podcast, Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former United star shared: “I’m really excited to see him, I mean the Man United [ex-players] WhatsApp group is popping off as you can imagine with congratulations and good luck messages to Fletch.
“I think he’ll be ejecting himself [from the group], or won’t be answering. Let me just check and see if he’s answered already because he ain’t been as active since he’s been the Under-18s manager.
“Let me just see. Fletch, where are you? Nope. You’ve got Youngy, Edwin van der Sar, Anders Lindergaard and myself all wishing him good luck. I think [the good luck messages] will be coming in more and more over the next couple of minutes.
“I wish him well. Darren Fletcher, he’s had some big, big moments in his career and he’s also had some turmoil in his life with his health.
“He [has] a wonderful family, he’s the right kind of person that you’d want to get a chance and I just hope he goes in there and does himself justice because this is a wonderful opportunity that anyone on this planet – especially someone who’s connected to the club – would give their right arm for, to have this opportunity. I’m sure he’ll give it all he’s got.
“One thing we will do is he’ll take counsel. He’ll lean on people. I’m sure one of his first phone calls will be Sir Alex Ferguson – followed by myself hahaha. But he will ask those questions. He’s got humility.
“If I was a betting man, I’d say he’ll do a good enough job. I want him to make it difficult for the hierarchy to make a decision on the next manager – on the next coach. Because that’s obviously the question everyone’s asking.”
Amorim departs United with a tally of merely 24 victories in 63 matches, marking the lowest win rate of any head coach since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson. The decision to part ways with Amorim was made by the top brass at United, including Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada.
A United statement read: “Ruben Amorim has departed his role as Head Coach of Manchester United. Ruben was appointed in November 2024 and led the team to a UEFA Europa League Final in Bilbao in May.
“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 club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future. Darren Fletcher will take charge of the team against Burnley on Wednesday.”
