Considering that he once opposed England being "colonialized by immigrants", it is ironic that Sir Jim Ratcliffe had to spend nearly £16 million to pay a small group of foreign employees. According to Manchester United's latest financial report, Ruben Amorim and his team of assistants could receive up to £15.9 million in compensation after being sacked.
Such numbers are not uncommon in top football, but that does not make them less difficult to understand. Nearly 16 million pounds as a "thank you" to the Portuguese captain and his associates - who once thought Kobbie Mainoo was not a real player.
People cannot help but wonder what long-time employees, working silently and just cut by Ratcliffe with basic conditions, will think when reading about the huge amount of money that Amorim and his associates received. Of course, it is not Amorim's fault. If a club is generous enough to sign a contract with such a large compensation clause, no one can blame the person who received the money.
However, the story raises questions about whether the role of head coach in modern football is being overexposed. Michael Carrick has come and done his job well. But it is a fairly simple job.
Carrick chooses the squad that most people would also choose and maintains stability with it. A simple approach, tactics that are not fussy, not confusing.
He appeared to watch the youth team, maintained a calm attitude in the technical area and was not ostentatious after the victory. His substitutions are predictable, so are his speeches before and after the match. After each match, the players get a day off. Everything is simple, pleasant, and that is exactly what Man United needs.
Initially, many people thought that this short-term contract was just a probationary period: winning a Champions League ticket would keep the seat, otherwise they would leave. But after only 6 matches, Carrick quietly proved himself to be a serious candidate for a long-term position.
In fact, the opportunity to participate in the Champions League is completely feasible. After defeating Crystal Palace, Man United has risen to third place. With a relatively light schedule from now until the end of the season, they can completely maintain that position. Carrick is possessing a strongly invested, talented squad. He just needs to put the players in the right positions and enjoy the results.
That is not a job worth 15.9 million pounds. Some opinions say that Carrick is lucky to have this opportunity, especially after failing to help Middlesbrough get promoted. But with each stable working day, in reality, he is consolidating his position.
Amorim left behind costly chaos. Carrick brought normality, stability and almost no noise.
The official message from Old Trafford is that there will be a thorough selection process for the long-term coach position. But the most suitable candidate seems to be right in front of him: no noise, no extravagance, just the type Man United needs.
I waited to see what the players would do when things were no longer favorable. And they responded very well. Things don't always go perfectly. But the unbeaten streak we have come from knowing how to win in many different ways. That's a positive thing to continue building" - Carrick said after the victory over Palace.
