What does Ruben Amorim know compared with Sir Jim, Jason Wilcox and the gilded overclass? | Jonathan Liew

Manchester United's latest managerial exit is a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play within football's elite. The club's decision to part ways with Ruben Amorim, a coach who had survived several high-profile setbacks, was only made possible by one individual: Jason Wilcox, the club's sporting director.

Wilcox's actions have been hailed as bold and strategic, outmanoeuvring United's head coach and ultimately deciding his fate. However, this narrative obscures a more sinister reality. Behind every successful footballing decision lies a team of advisors, executives, and board members, all pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

At Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe holds court, the true mastermind behind the club's tactical decisions. His preference for a back four has been repeatedly stated in private meetings, with Bryan Mbeumo being touted as a potential right wing-back. This decision is not made by Amorim or Wilcox alone but rather by Ratcliffe and his inner circle.

This pattern of power consolidation is becoming increasingly common at the top levels of football. Clubs are no longer content to empower their managers and coaches, instead entrusting high-level decision-making to executives with experience in business and petrochemicals. The likes of Sir Jim Ratcliffe – a man more familiar with sailing than soccer – believe they possess the expertise to oversee an enlightened programme of cost-cutting, stadium construction, and player signings.

In reality, this trend represents a worrying shift towards neoliberalism in football. The elevation of a gilded overclass who are perceived as infallible has led to a culture where mistakes can be easily sacked away without explanation. The 'executive class' – comprising coaches, scouts, and even footballers – is now seen as a mere delivery mechanism for the vision of these powerful individuals.

The notion that Jason Wilcox's actions were truly autonomous is a myth. He was merely carrying out the commands of his ultimate line manager, Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The fact that United's style of play will be determined in an executive meeting – with data science and analytics playing a significant role – highlights the true extent of this power imbalance.

Ultimately, the relegation of Ruben Amorim serves as a stark reminder that, at the top levels of football, it is not the coaches or managers who hold the reins but rather those with the deep pockets and expertise to shape the game.

I don’t usually comment but I think this Manchester United stuff is super concerning . It's like they're trying to create this illusion that Jason Wilcox was in charge, but really it's just Sir Jim Ratcliffe pulling the strings from behind the scenes . And what's even more worrying is that this kind of power imbalance is becoming a norm at top football clubs. I mean, who needs coaches and managers when you have a billionaire with a briefcase? The whole thing feels like a corporate takeover, not a sport .

And let's be real, it's not like these 'executive classes' are making decisions based on passion or love for the game. They're just crunching numbers and following the money . It's sad to see football becoming more and more about business than beauty . Can't we just enjoy the game without all the backroom deals and power struggles?

I'm totally on the side of the execs . I mean, who needs some bloke on the pitch making decisions when you've got a team of experts in a boardroom plotting away? It's all about efficiency and strategy, right? The fact that Ruben Amorim didn't have total control over his own team is just part of being in a high-pressure job. And yeah, Sir Jim Ratcliffe knows best - he's the one with the vision and the cash to make it happen! The whole 'neoliberalism' thing is just overthinking it - if you're good at business and can cut costs, why shouldn't that be applied to football too?

just another example of how football's elite prioritizes profit over passion. Jason Wilcox gets all the credit for making the 'tough decision' to sack Amorim, but let's be real, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is the one pulling the strings from behind the scenes. it's like they think having a fancy business background and loads of cash makes them soccer experts? Newsflash: just because you're good at making oil tycoons richer doesn't mean you can fix a broken football team what's next, having a spreadsheet to decide who scores goals and who doesn't?

I'm not surprised by the drama that's unfolding at Manchester United . It's like they say, "power to the people" – but in this case, it's more like "power to the pocketbook" . I mean, think about it, Ruben Amorim was a talented coach who'd been through ups and downs, but Jason Wilcox just needed one person to push his button and voilà! The door closes .

And let's not forget Sir Jim Ratcliffe – the real brains behind the operation . I'm all for cost-cutting and stadium expansion, but can't we have a bit of humility when it comes to making decisions? It's like they're playing a game of chess where only they know how the pawns fit together .

This neoliberalism thing is really interesting (and worrying) though . I mean, who are these people to decide what's best for football? Shouldn't we be having a conversation about the beautiful game, not just lining our pockets with cash ?

I'm reading about Manchester United's latest managerial exit and I gotta say , it's like they're highlighting how some people in power think they can just swoop in and make decisions without considering the coaches' input . Like Jason Wilcox's actions were so bold and strategic, but let's be real, he was probably just following the orders of Sir Jim Ratcliffe . And I'm all about empowerment and giving teams a chance to succeed, but this trend is making me worried about the direction football is headed . It's like they're creating this executive class that thinks they can outsmart everyone else without actually having a clue . Meanwhile, the coaches are just getting left behind . I'm all for innovation and progress, but not if it means sacrificing the passion and expertise of the people who know the game best .

This whole thing about Manchester United's managerial exit just got me thinking... how much power do these super rich owners really have? I mean, Jason Wilcox was basically forced out by his boss, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, without any real explanation . It's like they're playing a game of chess where the coaches are mere pawns . And let's not forget about all those business executives and petrochemists who are now in charge of football clubs... it's like a whole different sport . Can't we just go back to having passionate fans and decent managers making decisions for the love of the game?

[Illustration of a soccer ball being controlled by a puppeteer]

A$$

what's up with these football clubs? they got some rich dude like ratcliffe pulling all the strings like he knows more about soccer than everyone else? it's so weird that coaches get fired without even an explanation, just because their boss says so i mean, i know they gotta make money and all but can't they at least pretend to care about the game?

I mean, what's up with these power dynamics in football? It's like they're more worried about saving cash than developing young players . Sir Jim Ratcliffe thinks he knows it all just because he's got a lot of money . Newsflash: having deep pockets doesn't make you a good coach or manager!

I'm so over these executive classes making decisions behind the scenes . Where's the accountability? Who gets blamed when things go wrong? And what about all those coaches and managers who get sacked without explanation just because they didn't fit into some rich guy's vision .

It's like, I get it, football is a business, but shouldn't we be focusing on creating the best team possible instead of just lining the pockets of the wealthy elite? This neoliberal nonsense is sucking the soul out of the sport . Can't we find someone who actually cares about the game more than they care about making a profit?

It's fascinating how a single managerial exit can reveal so much about the inner workings of a football club . The fact that Jason Wilcox was the one to decide Ruben Amorim's fate, while Sir Jim Ratcliffe pulls the strings from behind the scenes, is not exactly surprising given their power dynamics. However, it does highlight how this trend of executive overreach is becoming increasingly prevalent in top-tier football .

I'm concerned that this concentration of power and expertise in the hands of a select few will lead to a homogenization of styles and strategies, with little room for innovative thinking or outside perspectives . It's also worrying that the notion of 'infallibility' has become synonymous with those who wield financial clout and industry experience – it's time for football to rebalance its power structures and create space for diverse voices to contribute .

I'm seeing this all over the football world now . It's like, what even happened to the days where a manager was in charge and made decisions based on their own vision? Now it's all about who's got the most clout and cash . I mean, can't we just have a nice straightforward decision-making process for once?

And don't even get me started on these 'executive meetings' where data science and analytics are king . It's like they're more interested in winning the championship than actually developing their players or building a cohesive team spirit .

I guess that's just the way it is at the top levels of football now, but I still can't help feeling that something's off about it all .

I mean, have you guys seen how power dynamics play out in football lately? It's wild! Manchester United's situation with Ruben Amorim just blew my mind - that sporting director Jason Wilcox is being hailed as a hero but let's be real, he was just doing what his boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe told him to do . I mean, who needs the head coach when you have a dude like Ratcliffe pulling the strings?

And it's not just Manchester United, this is happening everywhere! The 'executive class' is running amok and crushing anyone who gets in their way . Neoliberalism in football is real, folks - it's all about making money and cutting costs, no matter the cost to the game itself.

I'm not saying coaches and managers can't make mistakes, but when you have guys like Ratcliffe calling the shots, it's just not right . The 'autonomous' coach is a myth, my friends! It's time for some real change in football and less of this corporate nonsense

so yeah i was reading about man united's latest managerial exit and it got me thinking... did you know that in 2020, the average tenure of a football manager is just 2 years? meanwhile sir jim ratcliffe has been at man united since 2017 and has still managed to pull off some massive deals like who else can say they've bought a £100m stadium upgrade without breaking a sweat

anyway back to amorim... did you know that the top 5 most expensive managerial departures in epl history were all from teams with 'expert' sporting directors? like what even is the point of having a 'sporting director' if they're just gonna make all the decisions themselves? and btw, have you seen man united's latest squad stats? Bryan mebeumo is a decent player but can't hold a candle to some of the other youngsters on the team

I'm low-key worried about this whole thing . It's like, don't get me wrong, Sir Jim Ratcliffe seems to know what he's doing in business, but football is a totally different beast . I mean, who says they're qualified to be the one deciding tactics and player signings? It feels like they're more interested in cutting costs than actually developing the team .

I remember when our school's football coach was always so hands-on with training sessions – it really made a difference in how we played . I don't think that kind of personal investment is happening enough at Manchester United right now . And yeah, I get that power dynamics can be tricky, but this just feels like a case of the wrong people holding too much sway .

I'm all for efficiency and cost-cutting, but not when it comes at the expense of actually improving the team ️. It's weird that they're so focused on analytics and data science without having any actual football experts in the room . I just hope they don't end up tanking the season .

[Image of a chessboard with a king in one corner, representing the power imbalance]

[ Animated GIF of a puppet on a string, indicating the lack of autonomy ]

[ Picture of a group of suits and ties in a boardroom, symbolizing the executive class ]

[ Meme: A cat wearing a business suit, captioned "I can have it my way" ]

[ Image of Ruben Amorim looking worried, with a red "X" marked through him ]

[ GIF of a deck of cards being shuffled, indicating the unknown fate of football management ]