Manchester United's head coach costs pass €120m: more than Pogba's transfer fee

The financial toll of Manchester United's changes of head coach since Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013 has reached striking proportions. The English giants have most recently parted ways with Michael Carrick, the eighth departure of a head coach in the post-Ferguson era when Ralf Rangnick, who served on an interim basis, is included. According to calculations in the English press, the compensation paid to previous employers and the severance payments the Red Devils have made for head coaches over that period total more than €120m. The club's spending on changes of head coach has therefore surpassed even the record €105m fee paid for Paul Pogba, the most expensive signing in the club's history.

Manchester United, who have reported losses of more than €500m over the past seven seasons, are at the same time taking tough measures to reduce their internal costs. In the past two years 322 employees have lost their jobs, and the free lunches provided for staff have also been scrapped. That cutback was aimed at saving more than €1.2m a year.

Unable to find any consistency on the pitch despite the changes of head coach and heavy transfer spending, Manchester United face the threat of relegation from the Premier League this season. The club are reportedly preparing to appoint Mauricio Pochettino, a move that is expected to push their head coach costs higher still.

Since 2013, Manchester United have paid out more than €120m to appoint head coaches and to terminate their contracts. The compensation due to Michael Carrick, whose contract ran until 2028, and his assistants is expected to reach at least €6m. It is reported that compensation of around €9m may also be required for Mauricio Pochettino, the leading candidate for the post. The Argentine, currently the United States national team head coach, is under contract until 2030.

Mourinho received the largest severance payment

The highest compensation in any of Manchester United's head coach departures was paid for José Mourinho. The Portuguese coach, who took charge in July 2016, won the UEFA Europa League in his first season at the club and was dismissed in December 2018, after seasons in which the team finished sixth and second in the league. The English club paid Mourinho and his staff €23.4m in compensation for the termination of his contract.

Compensation of €10.9m was paid for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was appointed after Mourinho. Following the Norwegian's departure in November 2021, Ralf Rangnick took the helm on an interim basis, and the total cost of his departure and contractual arrangements is reported to have reached €17.6m.

Erik ten Hag, who took over in the summer of 2022, was another of Manchester United's costly head coach operations. The Dutchman extended his contract after the 2024 FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, but was dismissed in October of the same year, leaving the club with a compensation bill of around €12.5m.