Manchester United spends €121m on coaches, a sign of crisis

While once the Red Devils dominated world football, today their crisis is measured in millions spent to change the bench: in the last thirteen years Manchester United has spent €121 million just to hire and sack coaches.

This figure is considered one of the most emblematic of the club's crisis. Manchester United, on a break for international matches and currently in the relegation zone of the Premier League, is about to sack Michael Carrick and turn to Mauricio Pochettino, who is expected to leave his role as head coach of the United States national team.

It is a vicious circle for the Red Devils: since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure, they have not returned to the levels of the past. Many seasons have passed, with expensive transfer windows and several managers who have tried to sit on the historic bench. No one has managed to lift Manchester United's fortunes. The club's finances have inevitably suffered.

Details of payments to coaches

Excluding salaries, Sir Alex's staff cost €2.9 million. Moyes's dismissal required €5.8 million. Van Gaal's termination was valued at €10 million. The removal of the “Special One” José Mourinho entailed €23.4 million.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal cost €10.8 million, Rangnick's €17.6 million, and Erik ten Hag's €12.4 million. The clause paid for the arrival of the current Milan coach, Ruben Amorim, was €13 million. The Portuguese's dismissal required €9.8 million.

The likely departure of Michael Carrick will cost €6 million, while the clause for Mauricio Pochettino amounts to €8.8 million, still to be confirmed. One of the most emblematic figures is the total spending of €121 million on coaches.

The Dan Ashworth case

Dan Ashworth was hired in the summer of 2024 as sporting director for €3.6 million, paid to Newcastle. His tenure lasted just five months. He was dismissed with a compensation of €4.9 million.