The dismissal of head coach Ruben Amorim is set to push the total compensation paid by Manchester United to sacked managers and senior staff close to a staggering £100 million since 2014, a Sky News Data and Forensics analysis reveals.
The decision, confirmed on Monday, means the club could face a £12 million payout to Amorim, who was contracted until summer 2027. This comes during a period of sustained financial difficulty for the club, which has now posted losses for six consecutive years.
The £100m Price of Instability
Since the retirement of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, Manchester United have employed ten different managers. Financial filings show that, prior to Amorim's exit, the club had already paid out almost £86 million in "costs associated with loss of office" to former managers, coaches, and board members.
Adding the estimated £12 million for Amorim brings this total to nearly £98 million. Kieran Maguire, a football finance expert at the University of Liverpool, attributes the colossal cost directly to the club's high managerial turnover.
"There's been a lot of churn at Manchester United," said Mr Maguire. "Each time you have a reset, there is a cost involved." He noted that the frequent dismissals are a reflection of a lack of success, as clubs do not typically fire winning managers.
In the post-Ferguson era, departed managers have left with a combined over 147 months (around 4,500 days) remaining on their contracts. David Moyes's exit less than a year into a six-year deal in 2014 is a prime example, though his reported £5m settlement was far lower than what he would have earned.
How United's Payouts Compare to Rivals
Despite United's costly instability, other Premier League giants have also seen frequent changes. Since 2010, Chelsea are set to appoint their sixteenth manager, having spent an estimated £193 million on payouts to former staff in that time.
Tottenham Hotspur have had twelve managers in the same period. In contrast, clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City have enjoyed far greater stability with fewer changes at the helm, underscoring a clear link between managerial continuity and sustained success.
Broader Financial Woes and Future Costs
The direct compensation is only one part of the financial burden. The club recently reported a £39.7 million loss for its latest financial year. Furthermore, the £98 million figure does not include the costs of recruiting new coaches, such as the £9.2 million paid to secure Amorim from Sporting Lisbon in 2024.
Mr Maguire also highlighted the indirect expenses. "If a new manager wants to impose a particular style of football, then that becomes quite an expensive exercise," he said, noting it often leads to increased spending in the transfer market as squads are reshaped.
However, the club appears willing to swallow these costs in pursuit of a crucial goal: Champions League qualification. Mr Maguire stated that participation in Europe's elite competition is worth a minimum of £40 million, rising to over £150 million for the winner.
With Manchester United failing to finish in the Premier League's top five since the 2022/23 season and currently sitting sixth, the leadership deemed a change necessary. The club's statement on Amorim's departure said it was made to give the team "the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish."
