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The Heavy Price Manchester United Must Pay After Rúben Amorim’s Exit
Rúben Amorim’s exit didn’t just leave a vacancy on the touchline at Old Trafford — it also triggered a bill that could run into the tens of millions.
A Dismissal That Reopens Old Wounds
The Rúben Amorim era at Manchester United came to an abrupt end on Monday morning following a breakdown in his relationship with sections of the club’s hierarchy. Beyond the sporting fallout, his departure once again highlights the financial toll of instability at Old Trafford.
Just 14 months after his arrival, United are back in the market for a new head coach — and facing a familiar, uncomfortable reality.
An Expensive Bet From the Start
United paid close to £11 million to trigger Amorim’s release clause from Sporting CP, on top of the £10.4 million compensation package required to part ways with Erik ten Hag before appointing the Portuguese coach.
Amorim signed his deal in November 2024, earning an estimated £6.5 million per year, with roughly 18 months remaining on his contract at the time of his dismissal.
The Cost of Letting Him Go
According to Dr. Rob Wilson, Director of Executive Education at the University Campus of Football Business in London, terminating Amorim’s contract alone is likely to cost United around £12 million, excluding any severance owed to his backroom staff.
While lower than the wages commanded by some other Premier League managers, the figure still represents a significant outlay.
Where the Bill Really Grows
The real financial hit comes next. Appointing a new permanent manager — potentially not until the summer — could push the total cost of the transition to as much as £50 million, based on recent precedents at the club.
“When you look at the full package of sacking and replacing a manager, the numbers escalate very quickly,” Wilson explained, pointing to the sequence of events following Ten Hag’s departure.
An Awkward Bill at a Delicate Moment
This latest episode comes at a sensitive time for Manchester United, with internal cost-cutting measures already underway and pressure mounting to restore sporting direction and financial balance.
Amorim’s exit leaves questions on the pitch, but it also reinforces a recurring theme at Old Trafford: managerial mistakes come at a premium — and the price is rarely paid lightly.
