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Football Insider

Manchester United's Costly Split with Ruben Amorim: A Financial Breakdown

Delve into the staggering amount Manchester United are set to shell out following Ruben Amorim's sacking. Uncover the intricate details behind this multimillion-pound managerial departure and its broader implications for the club.

Manchester United's Costly Split with Ruben Amorim: A Financial Breakdown

The shocking amount Manchester United are set to pay Ruben Amorim and his coaching team has been revealed. The Portuguese was relieved of his managerial duties at Old Trafford on January 5. He took in just 63 games at the helm, over the course of 14 months, with that ill-fated tenure set to cost the Red Devils close to £16 million ($22m).Amorim was appointed by United in November 2024, with a compensation package of £10m ($13m) being agreed with Sporting when bringing the highly-rated tactician to England. That figure has been revealed in UEFA’s club licensing benchmarking report.European football’s governing body also state how the Red Devils are spending £15.9m on the removal of Amorim and five members of coaching staff from their dugout. That is the maximum amount that the 41-year-old and his backroom team could be paid, but is dependent on a number of factors - including whether he lands another job within a certain timeframe.United still had £6.3m ($8m) left to pay Sporting when taking the decision to sever ties with Amorim, with those payments being staggered across several years. The Red Devils felt they were left with little choice but to take a financial hit on another failed experiment in the coaching department.It cost United £14.5m ($20m) to part with Amorim’s predecessor Erik ten Hag and former director of football Dan Ashworth, with neither convincing across their respective spells at Old Trafford. The total bill for two managers and a senior executive across a 15-month period could end up exceeding £30m ($40m).Alongside their struggles to find an inspirational head coach, the Red Devils have also found value for money in the player recruitment market hard to come by. UEFA’s report has revealed that United have the highest net spend on transfers in world football over the course of the last five years.That highlights the level of underachievement at Old Trafford between 2021 and 2025, with transfer deals costing United €794m (£696m/$937m). Chelsea (£656m/$883m) sit second on that list, with Arsenal (£587m/$790m) third. The report points out that: “The high level of spending compared with non-English clubs is evident, with the Premier League hosting seven of the top ten most expensive playing squads by transfer fee assembled at the end of the 2025 financial year.“Chelsea FC’s playing squad at the end of the club’s 2025 financial year was officially the most expensive ever assembled, with a combined transfer cost of €1,746million, up €90million on the record set by the club last year.”The commercial revenue generated by teams in England also dwarfs that of European and global rivals. The top team in the Premier League earned around nine times more than the middle club in the division, while in Spain that difference was 36 times as much.The club licensing benchmarking document added: “The ability of competition organisers and governing bodies to reduce financial imbalance through solidarity payments and prize money distribution should therefore be viewed in this context.”UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin claims the findings of the report are “encouraging” as they prove that European football is well on the road to recovery after taking some serious hits during the Covid-19 pandemic.He said: “After a decade that included one of the toughest periods our sport and our society have faced, European football has come through in a strong position. Club revenues have grown steadily across the board, and top-division income is expected to pass €30billion in the 2025 financial year.”Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingUnited are among those hoping to put funds to good use over the coming months and years, as they seek to recapture former glories. Michael Carrick is currently calling the shots at Old Trafford on an interim basis - with a permanent successor to Amorim set to be appointed in the summer.Carrick could come into contention for a full-time contract after overseeing a six-match unbeaten run and returning the Red Devils to the Premier League’s top four. Whoever is the at helm when the next transfer window opens, there is the promise of more big money being invested by United.

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The Cost of Unsuccessful Tenures

Ruben Amorim's abrupt exit from Manchester United has left the club facing a hefty financial burden of close to £16 million ($22m). This massive sum encompasses the initial compensation package of £10m ($13m) paid to Sporting upon his arrival in 2024, along with a further £15.9m required for the termination of his contract and that of his coaching team. Unfortunately, the Red Devils are no strangers to costly managerial exits, having previously spent a substantial amount to part ways with Erik ten Hag and Dan Ashworth. This recurring theme underscores the challenges United face in finding a sustainable coaching solution.

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Transfer Spending Woes

Beyond the managerial realm, Manchester United's struggle to make impactful signings within budget constraints is also laid bare. UEFA's club licensing benchmarking report reveals the club's status as the highest net spenders on transfers globally in recent years, with a staggering outlay of €794m (£696m/$937m) since 2021. This financial outlay contrasts starkly with the underwhelming performance on the pitch, highlighting the need for more effective recruitment strategies to align with the club's ambitions.

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European Market Dynamics

Among the findings of the UEFA report is the disparity in commercial revenue between English clubs and their European counterparts, with Premier League teams leading the revenue charts. The document emphasizes the financial gap within leagues and underlines the importance of solidarity payments and prize money distributions in mitigating financial inequalities. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin views these revelations as a positive sign of recovery for European football post-Covid-19 disruptions, with club revenues on an upwards trajectory exceeding €30billion in the 2025 financial year.

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Future Investments and Managerial Prospects

As Manchester United navigates the aftermath of Amorim's departure, the focus shifts towards strategic investments and managerial appointments. With Michael Carrick currently at the helm in an interim capacity, the club aims to regain former glory by appointing a permanent successor in the upcoming summer window. The promise of substantial financial backing hints at more high-profile transfers and a renewed push for success on all fronts, as United strives to reclaim their competitive edge.

Published on Feb 27, 2026