‘They really sacked Sir Alex Ferguson before Erik ten Hag’: Man United fans slam decision to end legendary boss’ contract instead of sacking under-fire Dutchman
The decision by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS to end the ambassadorial contract of Sir Alex Ferguson has been slammed by Manchester United fans who today declared with disbelief: ‘They really sacked Ferguson before Ten Hag.’
The club’s greatest ever manager’s multi-million pound salary, said to be worth in excess of £2million-a-year since his 2013 retirement, has reportedly been axed in the latest cost-cutting measure by United’s part-owners.
In 2014, Mail Sport revealed that the legendary Scottish manager, 82, earned £2,165,000 between October 2013 and June 2014.
According to The Athletic, Ferguson will no longer receive these payments after being informed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe in a face-to-face meeting at Old Trafford.
Sir Jim reportedly told Fergie that the club is no longer in a position to continue paying him beyond the end of the 2024/25 season.
Red Devils supporters have not taken the decision well, with some labelling the move ‘disrespectful’ to the man whose 26-year reign produced 38 trophies and saw the club become a juggernaut in world football.
One fan wrote on X: ‘Shocking decision. Was it really needed?’ Another said: ‘Looks like even the legends can’t escape the budget cuts! Next, they’ll be asking Fergie to bring his own tea to the matches.’
Sir Jim Ratcliffe (left) has reportedly axed a £2.16m contract with Sir Alex Ferguson (pictured together in May) in face to face talks
INEOS have ended the ambassadorial contract of Sir Alex Ferguson following more than a decade in the role
Manchester United fans have called the decision to end Ferguson’s ambassadorial contract ‘disrespectful’
‘Is this not effectively his pension?’ queried another supporter on the platform. ‘Obviously he won’t starve but pretty disgusting he’s literally bigger than the club.’
Another said: ‘They really sacked Sir Alex Ferguson before Ten Hag.’
A fourth said: ‘What???? That’s very disrespectful to Sir Alex!!!’
In their report The Athletic claim that the matter has been dealt with amicably and Ferguson will remain a non-executive director and will be welcome to attend matches.
The move is the latest effort to cut costs at the club since the arrival of Ratcliffe and INEOS earlier this year. The British billionaire and his team embarked upon a root-and-branch financial review after taking a quarter stake in the club, which led to them making around 250 redundancies.
Another strategy saw the club’s army of agency staff, who were previously given a lunchbox – which included a sandwich, cereal bar, bag of crisps and soft drink – handed a much-reduced offering at United’s first match of the season against Fulham in August.
Some told Mail Sport that they were instead offered leftovers from the food supplied to corporate punters. United said that while some of the food offered was the same as that served earlier to fans they insisted that it was not left overs and that extra quantities are now being made for staff.
Ferguson spent 26 years at the club, winning 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues
United axed lunchboxes for matchday staff and also slashed the number of programmes given to corporate fans in half
Some workers also claimed that they are being forced to eat in a toilet. ‘They’ve set up a dining table next to four toilet cubicles,’ said one. ‘You come out of the cubicle and someone is sat in right front of you, eating.’
United’s need to recoup finances has seen some supporters react to the news about their former manager differently. One fan believed that the move shows that United are finally being run properly.
‘The fact the club were paying a former manager millions after more than a decade since he left shows you exactly how badly run the club is. This is a good move. I’m sure SAF will be alright without this.’
Up until this season those who pay thousands per game to watch the action from private boxes were each been provided with a matchday programme.
However, at the Fulham game some were stunned to find that only five were handed out for boxes of 10. ‘Given the money we pay, to not even get a programme each seems miserly in the extreme,’ said one disgruntled fan.
Usage of private chauffeurs and company credit cards were among the first areas targeted, with incoming officials staggered by a perceived overspend.
The legendary boss remains a club director and is regularly seen in the stands at matches
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team have sought ways to cut costs at Old Trafford since their arrival earlier this year
Some supporters have taken a different view, believing that the move shows the club is finally moving in the right direction
Other perks for senior staff, such as a pre-match party, lunch after the match, and hotel accommodation, have been scrapped entirely
And some staff were left dismayed when they were told they would have to pay for transport to the FA Cup Final in a break from tradition.
Other perks for senior staff, such as a pre-match party, lunch after the match, and hotel accommodation, were scrapped entirely, as was the ability for those employees and directors to bring their friends and family to the Wembley showpiece.
