United face £3m compensation bill to appoint Newcastle’s Eddie Howe
Manchester United would need to pay Newcastle about £3m in compensation to appoint Eddie Howe as their next manager. Howe is the leading candidate backed by director of football Jason Wilcox and is said to want the job, as United consider a change after a poor run of results.
Michael Carrick is expected to take training on Tuesday and would be removed only once a successor’s deal is finalised. United have gone eight games without a win, including a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth. Howe’s departure from Newcastle in July included terms entitling the club to compensation, with a smaller additional payment due for his staff, including assistant Jason Tindall; recruitment director Christopher Vivell is advocating Julian Nagelsmann.
In short
- Howe is Wilcox’s leading candidate for Manchester United.
- Appointing him would cost United about £3m in compensation.
- Carrick is expected to remain in charge until a successor is agreed.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
United could argue that, after eight games without a win, appointing a manager they believe can restore performance is a necessary investment, and a £3m compensation payment may be proportionate if it secures their preferred candidate. Finalising Howe’s deal before changing the interim arrangement would also provide continuity and avoid leaving the team without a clear plan.
The case against
United could argue that paying compensation to recruit a manager who has only recently left another club is a poor use of funds, particularly when the club could consider candidates such as Julian Nagelsmann or other options. Newcastle, meanwhile, can reasonably insist on the agreed compensation for Howe and his staff, while United should weigh the cost and disruption of a change against the possibility of improving results under the current arrangement.
Explained simply
Manchester United and Newcastle United are separate English football clubs, and both appoint managers to oversee the men’s first team. Eddie Howe has managed Newcastle since 2021; before that, he led Bournemouth through several seasons in the Premier League.
A manager’s contract can require a new club to pay compensation when appointing them, and agreements may also cover members of their coaching staff. At United, senior figures involved in football decisions include director of football Jason Wilcox and recruitment director Christopher Vivell, who can back different candidates.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Manchester United must pay Newcastle £3m compensation if they want Eddie Howe”.