Manchester United star continues the ‘coach curse’ after Amorim’s dismissal

Ruben Amorim has become the “next victim” of Matthijs de Ligt, who has never experienced two consecutive seasons under the same manager.

Matthijs de Ligt is now the subject of online ridicule following the sacking of coach Ruben Amorim by Manchester United. The Dutch defender has done nothing wrong, but his “curse” remains the issue.

Since starting his professional football career, De Ligt has never completed two full seasons with the same coach. After each season, the Dutch international has to adapt to a new manager.

And Amorim is the latest casualty in De Ligt’s journey. The Portuguese coach is the 10th manager De Ligt has worked with over 10 professional seasons.

Born in 1999, De Ligt rose through Ajax’s renowned academy and was promoted to the first team in the 2016/17 season under coach Peter Bosz. However, after just one season, Bosz left Ajax to join Borussia Dortmund in June 2017.

Shortly after, Ajax appointed Marcel Keizer as Bosz’s successor. De Ligt and his teammates began the 2017/18 season under the new coach, but this period was short-lived. At the end of 2017, Keizer was dismissed and Erik ten Hag was appointed as the replacement. Ten Hag led De Ligt during the memorable 2018/19 season when Ajax reached the Champions League semi-finals.

In the summer of 2019, De Ligt left Ajax to join Juventus. He worked with coach Maurizio Sarri during the 2019/20 season – who helped Juventus win their 9th consecutive Serie A title, but was dismissed in August 2020 after a Champions League round of 16 exit.

Andrea Pirlo was chosen by Juventus as Sarri’s replacement. Under Pirlo, De Ligt won the Coppa Italia but Juventus only finished fourth in Serie A. At the end of the 2020/21 season, Pirlo was sacked and Max Allegri returned as manager from the 2021/22 season. Similar to his time with Ten Hag at Ajax, De Ligt spent several seasons under Allegri’s leadership.

In summer 2022, the Dutch defender changed clubs again, joining Bayern Munich. In his first season at Allianz Arena, he played under Julian Nagelsmann. However, in March 2023, Nagelsmann was dismissed mid-season by Bayern. Thomas Tuchel was brought in as his replacement, and De Ligt entered the 2023/24 season with the German coach.

In summer 2024, De Ligt reunited with his former coach Ten Hag after transferring to Manchester United. But the reunion was short-lived as Ten Hag was dismissed in October 2024, with Ruben Amorim appointed as his successor.

De Ligt began the 2025/26 season with Amorim until the Portuguese coach’s contract was terminated on January 5, 2026. Whether he remains at Old Trafford or moves elsewhere, the 1999-born defender will definitely face a new coach when the next season starts – extending the turbulent journey of his still young career.