Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag faces an uncertain future following a terrible start to the 2024/25 season.
They have won only twice in six Premier League games. With merely seven points, they are 13th in the standings.
If results do not improve, the Dutchman could be sacked despite retaining the backing of the new co-owners a few months earlier.
According to The Athletic, sacking Ten Hag could cost £16 million.
The severance package would have been lower if United had not triggered the one-year extension to his existing deal.
INEOS hoping Ten Hag can turn things around
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team have focused on cost-cutting since taking charge.
Around 250 employees are set to be laid off as part of a redundancy program.
The cost of sacking Ten Hag would likely run higher than the annual amount saved in making those job cuts.
The anticipated severance package for the Dutchman could be the second highest in the club’s history, surpassed only by Jose Mourinho’s payout of £19.6m when his team was dismissed.
INEOS supported Ten Hag by adding Rene Hake and Ruud van Nistelrooy to his coaching staff this summer.
Their future will also be up in the air if Ten Hag is asked to leave.
The financial implications clearly show that their preference would be to stick with the current manager and hope he can turn the tide.
Former United assistant Steve McClaren described Ten Hag as a ‘wonderful tactician‘. Many others have also complimented the tactical knowledge he possesses.
However, the same tactical acumen must be seen on the pitch and translated into results.