Manchester United's latest financial figures highlight just how huge the next managerial appointment will be. Failure is not an option.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to appoint Manchester United's next permanent manager before the World Cup kicks off (Image: PA)
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe would like to appoint a new permanent manager at Manchester United before the World Cup kicks off in North America. The opening game is on June 11, by which time Ratcliffe and his fellow co-owners the Glazers want to have the new boss in place.
This would enable the chosen one to monitor potential targets at the tournament and make signings, while planning pre-season preparations for the following month. It's understood Michael Carrick will be handed a permanent contract should he secure Champions League qualification. If he doesn't, United are expected to look elsewhere.
That rules out Thomas Tuchel, irrespective of how well England do at the World Cup, Carlo Ancelotti, who is leading Brazil's campaign, and USA boss Mauricio Pochettino. Luis Enrique remains the preferred choice of numerous senior figures at Old Trafford, but United fear he will sign a contract extension with Paris Saint-Germain.
Jurgen Klopp also has admirers in the corridors of power at United, but is not a viable option due to his strong links with bitter rivals Liverpool. One potential candidate who has slipped under the radar is Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone.
The Argentine has engineered long-term success at the Spanish club, despite having to live in the shadow of neighbouring giants Real Madrid. During his time in charge of Atletico, Simeone has won eight major trophies, including two La Liga and Europa League titles.
He has also lead Atletico to two Champions League finals. His contract runs until 2027, so he would not command a huge amount of compensation. But whatever decision Ratcliffe & Co decide to make, getting it wrong is not an option. Because United have paid quite a price for doing just this in recent times.
The combined cost of sacking Erik ten Hag, replacing him with Ruben Amorim and then sacking the Portuguese could end up being close to £40m. Ratcliffe, let's not forget, pushed through a deal to get Amorim from Sporting Lisbon at a time when the man himself wanted to wait. And look how that turned out.
Amorim's 14-month stint in charge was the shortest reign of a permanent manager since David Moyes, who lasted just eight months before being sacked in 2014.
Sacking Amorim could cost United up to £16m in compensation, which equates to the club having paid him and his staff more than £1m for each month he was at the club, before wages are taken into account.
There is more pressure on Ratcliffe to get the next appointment right than there will be on the one he chooses to be successful at Old Trafford.
If Ratcliffe gets it wrong again, a reputation already hanging by a thread will be cut loose for good.
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