Manchester United spent £14.5million on sacking Erik ten Hag and other staff, figures from the club’s second quarter financial results reveal. The Dutchman was axed after a terrible start to the season but that poor form has continued under his predecessor, Ruben Amorim.
It set United back £10.4m to axe Ten Hag and a further £4m in compensation to remove sporting director Dan Ashworth, with smaller sums also paid to Ten Hag’s backroom staff.
United have released their financial figures for the three months up to December 31, 2024. Total revenue is down 12 per cent from the previous year.
The Red Devils made a £27.7million loss for the period.
United’s finances have come under scrutiny with the club previously reporting £300m losses over the past three years. Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has put in place brutal cost-cutting measures, including sweeping staff redundancies, to bring down costs.
Ratcliffe and INEOS remain committed to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), which permit clubs to lose a maximum £125m. United reportedly sent a letter to fan groups admitting that the club risks being in breach of those regulations if they do not cut costs.
It comes after there was some disappointment that United’s only January arrival was the 20-year-old wing-back Patrick Dorgu. The Premier League club are understood to have paid an initial £24m to sign the Danish star from Italian side Lecce.
United are 15th in the league after another dismal loss against fellow strugglers Tottenham last Sunday.
CEO Omar Berrada said: “We recognise the challenges in improving our men’s team’s league position and we are all working hard, collectively, to achieve that.
“Our redevelopment of the Carrington Training Complex remains on track. We continue to work towards a decision on the future of Old Trafford as part of a wider regeneration programme, which has now attracted UK Government support.”
The redevelopment of United’s Old Trafford home could cost billions. Discussions remain underway over whether the club will make improvements to the current ground, or whether the stadium will be demolished to build a world-class, state-of-the-art facility.
INEOS’s decision to sack Ten Hag four months ago prompted questions over their decision-making. Only four months prior, they had decided to stick with the Dutchman despite an underwhelming campaign in 2023-24, albeit winning the FA Cup. Ten Hag was handed a new contract, which would have increased the compensation owed should the club sack him.
He last only two months into the new season before being dismissed after a 2-1 defeat against West Ham. Amorim has since struggled to pick up results since his appointment in November and United sit only 12 points above the relegation zone.
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