Erik ten Hag’s job at Manchester United is secure for the time being, but Old Trafford officials will need to pay him off with a big sum if they decide to fire the Dutchman in the coming weeks.
Manchester United would have to pay an estimated £17.5 million to fire Erik ten Hag, according to sources.
However, had Old Trafford opted to split ways with Ten Hag in the summer rather than grant him a contract extension, the compensation would have been nearly half that amount.
Despite a disastrous start to the season, the Dutchman’s position looks to be secure. It is anticipated that the under-fire Dutchman will have the next two games – against Porto in the Europa League and Aston Villa in the Premier League – to save his job.
However, with supporters expressing their unhappiness following Sunday’s humbling loss at home to Tottenham Hotspur and no signs of the team’s play improving, bookmakers have reduced his odds to money-on in the market to become the first Premier League manager fired.
And if United decides to part ways with Ten Hag in the near future, GOAL reports that the compensation amount will be approximately £17.5 million, compared to around £10 million if the former Ajax manager left in June.
Meanwhile, United has laid off about 250 off-field employees in recent months, saving over £35 million. Ten Hag stated after the Spurs loss that he had no fear of being sacked despite a performance that former defender turned commentator Gary Neville labeled as “disgusting.”
The head coach argued that all he needed was more time for things to click. “No, I’m not thinking about this,” Ten Hag responded. “We are all on the same page or in the same boat, including the ownership, staff, and players. So I’m not concerned about the sack.
“We all took the choice to continue together as an ownership and leadership group.
“In the summer, we also decided, after a thorough evaluation, what we needed to improve and how we wanted to build a team.
“But we knew it would take some time, given how the window went and the fact that some players, such as Manuel Ugarte, arrived late.” We also need to strengthen our organisation; we’ve had some injuries and need some time.
United go to Porto on Thursday for their second Europa League game of the season, following a 1-1 draw at home against Twente last week.
They then go to Champions League rivals Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon in pursuit of their first league victory in three games. United are presently 12th in the rankings, with a goal difference of minus three.
