Last autumn, while Ruben Amorim was still Sporting manager, he was rightly referred to as one of Europe’s very best managers.
As the leader of the Premier League’s second most expensive squad, Manchester United have for the first time in a decade failed to qualify for a European competition. Had Manchester United won yesterday’s Europa League final, all players would have received a salary increase of 25% due to qualification for the Champions League. That means Sir Jim Ratcliffe can check the box for “money saved” – And now the Manchester United part-owner has been given the opportunity to save more.
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Ruben Amorim has offered to quit without compensation if the club wants it – but he also points out that he is not giving up.
After the final defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday night, where Brennan Johnson scored the only goal of the game just before half-time at the San Mamés Barria stadium in Bilbao, Ruben Amorim offered something Jose Mourinho would never do.
If Manchester United no longer want Ruben Amorim as manager, he is willing to leave the club without demanding a severance package.
Jose Mourinho’s career severance packages
| Club | Period | Amount paid |
|---|---|---|
| 2004-2007 | £18 | |
| million Real Madrid | 2010-2013 | £17 million |
| Chelsea | 2013-2015 | £8.3 million |
| Manchester United | 2016-2018 | £19.6 million |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 2019-2021 | £15 million |
| Roma | 2021-2024 | £3 million |
Explanation:
The table shows the total payments Mourinho has received in severance payments from the various clubs he has managed. The amounts usually reflect the remaining contract value or pre-agreed termination clauses.
The Manchester United payment of £19.6 million is the highest single payment of Mourinho’s career.
Rumours have it that Ruben Amorim is entitled to £12 million if he is sacked today.
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The former Sporting Lisbon manager, who has only won six Premier League games since taking over United, insists he still believes he can turn things around at Old Trafford – but stresses that he will not hold on to a position he is not wanted in.
“If the board and the supporters think I’m not the right man for the job, I’ll leave without arguing about compensation,” Amorim said.
“But I’m not going to give up. I have full confidence in the work we have done. And as you can see, I’m not going to change my philosophy,” he added.
The defeat underlined a disastrous season for United, who secured their worst league finish since relegation in 1974.
With only one league game left, the red jerseys are in a disappointing 16th place.
After the final, Amorim did not want to speculate on the club’s future, and believed the team must first digest the defeat.
“What I can say is that we were the best team, but lacked efficiency. It’s tough to win games, but the guys gave everything,” said the Portuguese.
When Amorim took over from Erik ten Hag, United were within reach of a Champions League place. Now they are a full 27 points behind Chelsea in fifth place. – Erik ten Hag took home about £10 million when he was sacked last autumn.
Next season will be the first time since 2014/15 that United do not play European football.
Key points:
- Amorim willing to go without compensation
- Insists that he has done a good job
- United’s worst finish in 50 years
- No European football next season
