Man Utd terminate Sir Alex Ferguson’s £2m contract in cost-cutting drive

Ferguson’s deal as a global ambassador of the club will not be renewed at the end of the season

Richard Jolly
Senior Football Correspondent
Tuesday 15 October 2024 12:39 BST
Comments
United have ended Sir Alex Ferguson’s ambassador role
United have ended Sir Alex Ferguson’s ambassador role (Nick Potts/PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Ineos has terminated Sir Alex Ferguson’s £2m contract as an ambassador of Manchester United as part of its cost-cutting drive.

Ferguson has been paid the annual sum for his roles as a global ambassador and a football board director, ever since stepping down as manager in 2013.

Ineos, owned by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has been reducing the club’s spending behind the scenes, telling employees in the summer that 250 jobs would be cut at Old Trafford, United’s Carrington training base and the club’s London office.

Ferguson has now been targeted as another potential saving, and after amicable talks between the legendary former manager and club officials, it was decided that his contract would not be renewed at the end of the season. He will retain a role as a non-executive director.

Ferguson, who turns 83 in December, led United to 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League and two Champions League titles, before he retired from management.

Sir Alex Ferguson is stepping back from club duties
Sir Alex Ferguson is stepping back from club duties (PA Wire)

United are currently in 14th place after finishing a worst-ever eighth in the Premier League last season, despite spending just over £200m on players in the close season.

They have splashed out about £600m on new players since their under-fire Dutch manager Erik ten Hag took charge ahead of the 2022-23 season.

It is not known whether the cost cutting will affect other United ambassadors including former players Andy Cole, Park Ji-sung, Dwight Yorke, Denis Irwin and Bryan Robson.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in