Manchester United decided early in the campaign to fire Erik ten Hag and recruit Ruben Amorim as his successor — but it came with a hefty price for the Old Trafford leadership.
Manchester United had to spend £21million to dismiss Erik ten Hag and secure Ruben Amorim.
Their managerial overhaul, just weeks into the campaign, soon felt unavoidable as performances failed to improve, but it was an expensive choice. Particularly as Ten Hag had recently signed a fresh contract in the summer, and Amorim was still employed at Sporting Lisbon.
United acted swiftly, with Ten Hag ousted less than 24 hours after a defeat at West Ham. That same day, the Old Trafford board started talks to bring Amorim to Old Trafford, initiating discussions over the required compensation.
To dismiss Ten Hag, the Red Devils had to pay the Dutch coach £11.4m. It’s the second-largest payout to a manager, with Jose Mourinho’s £19.6m remaining the highest.
Sporting Lisbon then proved tough negotiators over Amorim, whom they were keen to retain. United also sought to fast-track his contract release and integrate some of his staff into the Premier League. All of this cost them slightly over £20m, forcing them to reconsider their decision to extend Ten Hag’s tenure in the summer.
United’s financial records paint a concerning image regarding their managerial strategies. They have continued to cycle through head coaches. In the 11 years since Sir Alex Ferguson departed, six permanent managers have taken charge of the team.
David Moyes was dismissed at an expense of £4.9m. Louis van Gaal was let go two years later, despite winning the FA Cup, costing £8.4m. Mourinho’s staggering payout is well-known. More than £23m was required to terminate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s contract, along with Ed Woodward’s departure.
Erik ten Hag was fired despite receiving a contract extension during the summer.
These figures, particularly following this season’s events, highlight the financial impact of choices made by INEOS. They appear to expect fans to compensate for some of their poor judgments, which have proven costly. United announced ticket price increases for members, now reaching £66 per game, and scrapped discounted rates for children and over-65s for the rest of the season. Tickets for kids were previously priced at £25.
The reorganized management team, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, includes several capable individuals who have excelled at other clubs.
Ten Hag’s squad underperformed last season, delivering United’s lowest-ever finish in the Premier League. An FA Cup victory saved him from dismissal, even though Ratcliffe and his team conducted a review that summer, ultimately choosing to support Ten Hag in the transfer window, only to sack him after nine league matches.
