Manchester United paid 19.6 million pounds in compensation to sack Jose Mourinho and his backroom staff.
That sum, which is listed under “exceptional items” in United’s second-quarter financial results, includes pay-outs for the five members of Mourinho’s staff who left with him on December 18 after United recorded their worst start to a campaign in 28 years.
It is less than was reported in some quarters but four times the amount United had to pay predecessors David Moyes and Louis van Gaal when they were fired in 2014 and 2016 respectively.
In the report, the club announced record revenues of 208.6million pounds for the quarter, which translate into earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of 104.3million pounds and an operating profit of 44million pounds.
Mourinho was subsequently replaced by caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has lost just one of his 12 games in charge in all competitions, helping the club climb back into the Premier League top four.
“The appointment of Ole and Mike (Phelan) as caretaker manager and assistant manager, working with Kieran, Michael and Emilio, has had a positive impact throughout the club,” executive vice chairman Ed Woodward said in a statement on Thursday.
He had wanted at least one new centre-back but he did not get one, with the club signing 50million pounds midfielder Fred, Porto youngster Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant as a backup goalkeeper.