The Manchester United football club is set to face a hefty financial burden following the recent dismissal of head coach Erik Ten Hag. Reports indicate that the club will owe the Dutch manager a severance package estimated at around £16 million ($19.4 million) due to the terms of his contract.

Ten Hag, who had been with the club since April 2022, earned an annual salary of approximately £9 million ($10.9 million). With nearly two years remaining on his contract, the financial implications of his departure are significant for the struggling club. While the official figure will be confirmed in the next financial report, it is clear that this payout will add to the financial challenges facing Manchester United.

In historical context, the payout for Ten Hag is notable but not unprecedented. When José Mourinho was sacked in 2018, it cost the club £19.6 million ($23.8 million). Similarly, the dismissal of Louis Van Gaal in 2016 resulted in a severance fee of £8.4 million ($10.2 million). This trend of high compensation packages reflects the ongoing volatility within managerial positions at elite football clubs, especially in the high-stakes environment of the Premier League.

As Manchester United navigates this financial landscape, the focus will also shift to finding a suitable replacement for Ten Hag. The club is under pressure to not only stabilize its performance on the pitch but also manage its finances effectively amidst a backdrop of fan discontent and declining results.