Manchester United’s recent decision to terminate Ruben Amorim’s contract as manager is set to have significant financial repercussions for the club, potentially amounting to nearly £16 million. This figure was revealed in a financial disclosure submitted by the club, highlighting the costly consequences of the Portuguese coach’s turbulent tenure at Old Trafford. Amorim’s time in charge, which lasted just over a year, ended abruptly on January 5 following a public fallout with the club’s senior management. Alongside Amorim, his entire coaching staff also departed, marking a dramatic shift in the club’s leadership structure.
The financial details emerged in a filing made to the New York Stock Exchange, where Manchester United outlined the possible payouts related to Amorim and his team. This disclosure came just a day after the club announced a second-quarter profit of £32.6 million for the period ending December 31, 2025. Despite this positive financial performance, the club acknowledged the upcoming charges linked to the managerial change as an “event that occurred after the reporting period.” Specifically, United indicated that they would recognize a £6.3 million write-off of intangible assets and set aside a provision of £15.9 million, which represents the maximum potential settlement payments to Amorim and his staff. This provision is contingent on several factors, including whether Amorim secures new employment within a designated timeframe.
It is important to note that the £6.3 million write-off also corresponds to compensation already paid to Sporting Lisbon, the Portuguese club from which United hired Amorim. This payment was part of the compensation package required to secure his services. Earlier filings from November 2024 revealed that United paid Sporting a total of £10 million to acquire Amorim’s contract, a figure that followed the £10.4 million compensation paid to facilitate the departure of former manager Erik ten Hag. When combined, these payments suggest that the overall financial outlay related to Amorim’s appointment and subsequent dismissal could reach approximately £37.3 million.
On the pitch, Amorim’s record was mixed at best. Over the course of 63 matches, he managed to secure 25 victories, but the team’s overall performance was disappointing. Under his leadership, Manchester United finished 15th in the Premier League, marking their poorest league standing since the 1973-74 season, when they were relegated from the top flight. At the time of his dismissal, United were positioned sixth in the league, but internal tensions had reportedly escalated, culminating in a significant dispute with director of football Jason Wilcox just days before a crucial match against Leeds.
Following Amorim’s exit, caretaker manager Michael Carrick has overseen a notable turnaround in form. The team has recorded five wins and a draw, propelling Manchester United up to fourth place in the Premier League standings. This resurgence has reignited hopes among supporters and club officials alike that United can secure qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League, a key objective for the club’s ambitions moving forward.
As Manchester United navigates the financial and sporting challenges stemming from this managerial upheaval, the club’s leadership will be under pressure to stabilize the situation and build on the recent positive momentum. The costly dismissal of Amorim serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in high-profile managerial appointments and the significant financial stakes at play in modern football.
