SACKING Erik Hen Hag will cost Manchester United up to £9million in compensation.
The Dutchman’s two-year reign will end this summer, even if United shock Manchester City in Saturday’s FA Cup final.
A four-man shortlist to replace him has been drawn up – Mauricio Pochettino, Kieran McKenna, Thomas Tuchel and Thomas Frank.
Ten Hag’s contract runs out in June 2025.
So he will be owed £9m in remaining salary – unless there is a clause reducing his salary for failing to make the Champions League.
The 54-year-old has voiced his confidence about staying in charge – until a recent change in tone.
Earlier this month he even raised the possibility of returning to his last job, telling Viaplay: “Contacts with Ajax? No. In the future, why not? It’s a fascinating club. I had [a] great time there.”
Ten Hag’s monthly pay is around £750,000 – well below the very top earners in football management across Europe.
L’Equipe reckon Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone is way out on top, at £2.42m.
Next comes Etihad chief Pep Guardiola, with £1.66m.
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Outgoing Liverpool chief Jurgen Klopp picked up £1.25m.
The top five was completed by Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri on £920k and ousted Chelsea chief Pochettino, on £820k.
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Poch is now the narrow favourite to succeed Ten Hag, just ahead of Ipswich’s promotion-winning chief McKenna – still a managerial babe at 38.
ETH’s No2 Steve McClaren could yet keep his position at Old Trafford.
The former England boss, 63, is close friends with Sir Dave Brailsford, who was a key appointee at United by his Ineos supremo Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
ERIK TEN HAG says Manchester United must pay back their world-class fans with an FA Cup triumph after their awful league season, writes Tom Barclay.
United came eighth which was their lowest-ever finish despite winning 2-0 on the final day at Brighton.
They also came away from a miserable campaign with a negative goal difference – but still can win a trophy when they take on Manchester City in next week’s cup final.
The away fans roared themselves hoarse just as they have done all term despite the poor results.
Boss Ten Hag said: “We have the best fans in the world and I mean this.
“I have never had this experience when you have a season like us, which is by far not good enough, that the supporters are with us.
“They are with us in the bad season and in bad times they are there. I think also they know why the bad times are there.
“But we have to pay them back and we have to do everything to give them a trophy next week but also for the future, we have to perform better.”
United won thanks to late goals from Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund.
But for the second game running, Hojlund began the match on the bench as United opted for a false nine – in a hint over how United will set up in the cup final.
That was how they played in March’s 3-1 defeat to City at the Etihad in the league, too.
Ten Hag added: “It’s a luxury problem. Both formations can be a success because we can set up like we did at the Etihad where we were a threat with movement in behind.
“But of course with Rasmus Hojlund in this form it’s absolutely a consideration and a thought that we have to consider.
“You need not only 11 players in a tough final but a bench as well.”
Hojlund’s tally now stands at 16 goals in his maiden season after the 21-year-old arrived from Atalanta for £72million last summer.
Reflecting on the Dane’s campaign, Ten Hag observed: “It could always be better but don’t forget he had three injuries this season.
“He came in with the injury, missed the start, then he got injured before winter and then he got injured after winter. So every time that broke his rhythm and if you then shoot 16 goals for the first season it’s OK. And it’s not over, we have to play the FA Cup final.”
