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Sacking Jose Mourinho Cost Manchester United Nearly £20 Million

Sacking Jose Mourinho Cost Manchester United Nearly £20 Million

The former United manager was sacked following the 3-1 Premier League loss to Liverpool in December and things have changed a lot since.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Jose Mourinho might have lost his job and dropped in reputation when he was sacked by Manchester United towards the end of last year but the club's accounts have revealed he got a nice pay off.

It's just 10 days until Manchester United face Liverpool in the league for the second time. It could be a significant moment in the Premier League title race as a win for the Red Devils would leave Liverpool level on points with Manchester City without still having a game in hand.

What could be more significant is how it will show exactly how times have changed at Old Trafford since Jose Mourinho was sacked and replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Back in December Mourinho was sacked after losing 3-1 at Anfield but things have come on quite a bit under Solskjaer.

The football, results and atmosphere have improved a lot since the new man came in, and he's now favourite to take the role on a permanent basis in the summer.

On Thursday United published their latest accounts and under 'exceptional items' they list £19.6 million in relation to sacking Mourinho and six members of his backroom staff.

Mourinho during his final game in charge of United. Image: PA Images
Mourinho during his final game in charge of United. Image: PA Images

Included in the payouts were senior goalkeeping coach Silvino Louro, opposition scout Ricardo Formosinho, fitness coaches Stefano Rapetti and Carlos Lalin and analyst Giovanni Cera.

The amount is so high because less than a year before his sacking Mourinho signed a new contract at Old Trafford, something Ed Woodward no doubt regrets right now.

In the past United hadn't sacked David Moyes and Louis van Gaal until qualifying for the Champions League that season was no longer possible, with Van Gaal allowed to carry on till the FA Cup final.

United's second quarter revenue was recorded as £208.6 million with the club forecasting annual revenue of £615-630 million.

Solskjaer can be very pleased with his start. Image: PA Images
Solskjaer can be very pleased with his start. Image: PA Images

Since Mourinho's sacking the team have won 10 of their 11 domestic fixtures, with the draw against Burnley the only exception, before the Champions League loss to PSG on Tuesday.

A win against Liverpool a week on Sunday would give them a huge boost in securing fourth place at the end of the season and deal a blow to Jurgen Klopp's side in the title race.

In the end the decision to sack Mourinho could earn the club a lot more than sacking him cost.

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