Manchester United's £15.9m Payout to Sacked Coach Ruben Amorim Revealed
Former Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim and his coaching staff could receive a staggering £15.9 million in compensation from the club following their sacking last month. The 41-year-old Portuguese manager was fired by United on January 5 after just 14 months in charge at Old Trafford, with his five assistant coaches also departing the club.
Compensation Details and Financial Impact
A filing to the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday revealed that removing Amorim and his coaches could cost up to £15.9 million. This figure represents a maximum amount, with the exact compensation to be determined by factors including whether Amorim secures another managerial position within a specified timeframe. Initially, it was reported that Amorim walked away with a £10 million pay-off after being summoned to the club's Carrington training base and dismissed by director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada.
Amorim's compensation package brings the total cost of hiring and firing him to nearly £27 million. United bought out his contract at Sporting Lisbon in October 2024 for £8.3 million and paid an additional £900,000 so he could start work early. He had signed a £6.5 million per year deal until June 2027, meaning his pay-off for the remainder of his contract is approximately £10.05 million.
Broader Financial Context and Club Performance
This potential payout adds to the significant financial outlay United has faced in recent managerial changes. The club had already spent £14.5 million following the sacking of Erik ten Hag and the departure of sporting director Dan Ashworth. Should United be forced to compensate Amorim and his staff in full, it will take the total spent on sacking managers and executives to nearly £30 million in just 15 months.
Amorim's departure came the day after an explosive press conference following a 1-1 draw with Leeds, where he openly criticized club bosses. He had also clashed with Wilcox in a meeting three days before the trip to Elland Road. During his tenure, Amorim won only 25 of his 63 games in charge and finished 15th in the Premier League before losing the Europa League final to Tottenham in May.
Interim and Current Management Success
Amorim was replaced on an interim basis by Darren Fletcher before the club appointed Michael Carrick as permanent manager. Carrick has won five and drawn one of his six games in charge, boosting United's chances of returning to European football's top table. The Red Devils currently sit fourth in the Premier League, having secured the most points—18—of any team in the competition this calendar year.
With the top five in the Premier League set to secure a Champions League place next season, United are three points clear of Liverpool in sixth, positioning them well for a potential return to elite European competition.
