As the pressure mounts on Erik ten Hag’s position at Manchester United, the cost associated with parting ways with the Dutchman has come to light.
Following the Red Devils’ dismal start to the season, marked by a lackluster 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, they find themselves in eighth place in the Premier League, trailing first-placed Tottenham Hotspur by 11 points.
Their struggles extend to the European stage, with two losses in their first three Champions League matches against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.
With questions surrounding Ten Hag’s future, despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s impending purchase of a 25% stake in United reportedly offering assurances to the manager, the club would face a significant financial hit if they decided to part ways.
According to The Mirror, United would need to pay more than £15 million for his departure, including his annual £9 million salary, as Ten Hag is under contract until the summer of 2025. Additional expenses would include compensation for his backroom staff, making his exit a costly affair.
In the event that Ten Hag’s tenure at United comes to an end, Zinedine Zidane, the former Real Madrid manager, has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed him at Old Trafford, with odds of 4/1, according to Odds Checker.
Julian Nagelsmann, the former Bayern Munich manager and the current head coach of the German national team, is the second favorite at 5/1. Graham Potter, a former manager at Chelsea and Brighton, is priced at 10/1, as he is currently without a managerial role.
Other notable contenders for the position include Antonio Conte (16/1), Gareth Southgate (16/1), Diego Simeone (20/1), and Mauricio Pochettino (20/1), adding to the speculation surrounding the next Manchester United manager.