Manchester United Spent £14.5m to Sack Erik ten Hag and Others.

Manchester United has incurred a hefty £14.5 million cost to part ways with manager Erik ten Hag and sporting director Dan Ashworth. The breakdown includes £10.4 million for Ten Hag and his coaching staff, and £4.1 million for Ashworth’s severance package.

This decision has added to the club’s financial troubles, which include a reported £27.7 million net loss for the second quarter of 2024, a stark contrast to the £20.4 million profit in the same period the year before. A significant factor in this downturn is the 42% drop in broadcast revenue, largely due to United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.

The club has faced an ongoing pattern of managerial instability, spending a total of £52.4 million on sacking managers over the past twelve years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. These costs reflect broader struggles for the club, both on and off the field, as it continues to search for long-term success.

In response to its financial challenges, Manchester United has implemented cost-cutting measures, including staff redundancies and increased ticket prices. Furthermore, the club is investing in long-term infrastructure projects, such as the redevelopment of Old Trafford and the Carrington training complex, with some support from the UK Government.

These moves highlight the difficult balancing act the club faces as it attempts to regain both financial and sporting stability.