Manchester United has revealed the steep financial toll of their recent managerial change, confirming it cost the club approximately £21.4 million to relieve Erik ten Hag of his duties and to bring Ruben Amorim on board as his successor. This announcement follows the club's disappointing start to the season, which included just four wins from the first 14 matches across all competitions.
Ten Hag, who signed a two-year contract extension with the club over the summer, was dismissed shortly after United's 2-1 defeat to West Ham on October 27. His exit incurred costs of around £10.4 million, which accounted for severance pay to him and his coaching staff. The club also confirmed additional expenses, noting the figure included payments to other staff such as Ruud van Nistelrooy, who had been serving as interim manager.
Following Ten Hag's departure, United moved quickly to secure Amorim, who had been managing Sporting CP. His appointment came at a reported cost of about £11 million, which encompassed not only his release clause but also contractual obligations to his coaching team. Amorim, who had just led Sporting to success domestically, had established himself as one of the brightest prospects for managers on the European scene.
This managerial shift highlights the turbulence at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, as the club has cycled through several managers, parting ways with six permanent head coaches over the past decades. Notably, the current investment is among the highest costs incurred for managerial exits by United, trailing only the hefty £19.6 million spent to terminate Jose Mourinho's contract back in 2018.
While the managerial change is significant, it also raises questions about the club's financial stability, especially considering the dwindling revenue streams and the impact on potential transfers. According to the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability regulations, the substantial expenditure linked to these managerial costs may influence Amorim's transfer budget for the approaching January market.
United’s willingness to shell out such large sums raises eyebrows, particularly when they’ve recently increased ticket prices for fans, with season tickets now costing around £66 following the removal of concession prices for children and the elderly. Such moves have prompted backlash from the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust, claiming the club’s financial missteps shouldn’t be passed on to loyal supporters who are already feeling the squeeze of rising living costs.
The angst of the fans has been palpable, particularly with the backdrop of this season’s rampant ticket price increases and the uncertainties surrounding the club’s management decisions. Many supporters are contemplating protests due to these changes, marking their dissatisfaction with the current operational strategy under the new ownership led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Fans expressing concerns over ticket hikes are waiting to see if the new management can restore pride on the pitch, especially as United has struggled to regain its standing as one of world football's elite clubs. Soccer analysts have suggested the sizable financial outlay made for both Ten Hag's dismissal and Amorim's hiring may pressure the club’s hierarchy to deliver results quickly against the competitive standards of the Premier League.
Despite the discontent surrounding club finances and operations, Amorim’s appointment brings hope. His first match was met with cautious optimism, as United played to a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town, signaling the start of perhaps another pivotal chapter for the club.
Only time will tell whether the managerial change proves to be the turning point United desperately needs, or if it will simply add to the growing list of costly decisions the Old Trafford hierarchy has made during its turbulent post-Ferguson era.
Moving forward, the expectation is clear. The new leadership under Amorim will be under intense scrutiny not only from the club's upper management but also from fans eager for investment to translate both on and off the pitch. The stakes are high as the club prepares for future contracts, negotiations, and attempts to regain competitive status not merely through managerial changes but through sustainable growth and engagement with its fan base.
