Manchester United’s headache over Amorim’s departure: how much will they pay?

One of the biggest stories in European football during the first week of January was the departure of Ruben Amorim from Manchester United. The 41-year-old Portuguese manager left the Red Devils in the worst possible way: clashing with the board, making controversial statements prior to his firing, and recording the worst win percentage since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 (47%). While fans may rejoice at the news given the team's poor form, this dismissal could bring serious problems for the institution, specifically on the economic side.

The Compensation Package United Must Pay Amorim

According to information from TalkSPORT, Manchester United could end up paying £27.3 million to Ruben Amorim and Sporting Lisbon (the club he joined from). The breakdown of this figure is as follows:

• £9.5 million to Sporting Lisbon: Due to hiring the manager while he was still under a long-term contract with the Portuguese side.

• £7.8 million to the manager: Covering the remainder of his Manchester United contract, which was set to run until June 2027 (the remaining 18 months).
• £10 million in severance pay: An indemnity for the club’s decision to terminate the agreement prematurely before the agreed-upon timeframe

A Serious Financial Crisis

This economic factor is a significant blow to the club's finances. It appears the English giants decided to sever ties with Amorim without fully considering the harsh financial consequences of his exit. Now, the Red Devils will likely search for a manager with lower wage demands, as these figures complicate the institution's future regarding new signings and infrastructure investments.

Dr. Rob Wilson, Director of Executive Education at the University Campus of Football Business in London, explained to BeIN Sports that "the real financial blow comes next. The appointment of a new permanent manager—possibly not until the summer—could raise the total cost of the transition to £50 million, based on the club's recent precedents."

Who Could Lead Manchester United Next?

Currently, the leading candidate to replace Ruben Amorim is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who would potentially sign a contract until the end of the season. This would mark his second stint with the club, following his tenure between 2019 and 2021.

Other names being analyzed by the board include Xavi Hernández, Gareth Southgate, and Oliver Glasner. However, the only formal inquiries have been made for Solskjaer, whose objective would be to return Manchester United to UEFA competitions after the disastrous results of the 24-25 season.