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Erik ten Hag faces a huge pay cut at Man Utd. (Image: Getty)
Erik ten Hag will reportedly face the consequences of his disastrous second season as Manchester United manager even if he avoids the sack this summer. The Dutchman is in line to join his players by receiving a significant pay cut for missing out on Champions League football this term.
United's hopes of retaining their status in Europe's premier competition are all but over, following a run of just one win in seven league games.
Aston Villa are currently fourth in the Premier League, 16 points ahead of United, who also trail Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United in seventh.
England is unlikely to receive a fifth Champions League spot through coefficient this season, leaving the Red Devils with a battle to qualify for Europe altogether.
Dipping in and out of the Champions League over the past decade hasn't just been financially damaging for the club but also for players with incentivised contracts based on team performance.
According to ESPN, Ten Hag was given a similar deal when he became manager in 2022 after United failed to qualify for the Champions League under Ralf Rangnick.
Failure to make the grade this season will reportedly trigger a 25 per cent pay cut in the 54-year-old's contract along with most of his squad.
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Ten Hag is said to earn a £9million annual salary at Old Trafford, meaning such a slash in wages would see him pocket £6.75m next season if he remains in charge.
A drop in salary and the fact he would be closer to his contract's June 2025 expiry should demand a lower compensation fee from Sir Jim Ratcliffe if United decide to part ways beyond the summer.
Ten Hag came under increased scrutiny due to the manner of United's FA Cup semi-final win against Coventry City, which he branded "embarrassing" and a "disgrace."
Winning the FA Cup didn't rescue Louis van Gaal from the chop in 2016, and the M16 giants' woeful Premier League and Champions League campaigns have sparked suggestions of a repeat.
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However, the report adds that United are still preparing for next season with Ten Hag in the dugout despite assessing potential replacement options.
It's claimed that England's Gareth Southgate, Brighton and Hove Albion's Roberto De Zerbi, Brentford's Thomas Frank and Wolves' Gary O'Neil have been among the alternatives explored.
But, for now, Ten Hag appears set to remain in place unless his reign unravels even further before the end of the season.
In the meantime, new technical director Jason Wilcox is completing an audit at Carrington to examine the Dutchman's credentials for United's new-look sporting profile.
