Conte sets record as Ten Hag awaits payoff: Mourinho earns £90 million in severance fees

Famed Portuguese manager José Mourinho has mastered the art of severance payouts, especially in the Premier League. He’s not alone in receiving hefty payoffs, however; Erik ten Hag, who is no longer at the helm of Manchester United, is set to receive a "decent" severance package. According to English media, the Dutch manager will be compensated around £20 million for the premature termination of his contract, placing him among the best-compensated dismissed managers in the league's history.

Antonio Conte holds the record for the largest individual severance fee. In 2018, Chelsea paid the Italian coach £26.2 million following his dismissal, equivalent to around €31.5 million at today’s exchange rates.

Chelsea, especially during the era of Roman Abramovich, was a powerhouse in paying out substantial sums to departing managers. Following Conte, Mourinho and Luiz Felipe Scolari also received generous payouts of £18 million and £13.6 million, respectively, 17 and 15 years ago.

The second-largest severance in Premier League history also came in 2018 when Manchester United compensated Mourinho with £19.6 million (approximately €23.5 million) after his exit. Known as the “king” of severance deals, Mourinho has three of the top five highest payouts, including a £15 million severance from Tottenham in 2021, equivalent to around €18 million.

According to English sources, Mourinho has collected nearly €90 million in severance fees throughout his career, including €20 million from Real Madrid and a recent €3.5 million payoff from AS Roma.

Highest severance fees in English football:

• 2018: Antonio Conte (Chelsea) - £26.2 million
• 2018: José Mourinho (Manchester United) - £19.6 million
• 2007: José Mourinho (Chelsea) - £18.0 million
• 2021: José Mourinho (Tottenham) - £15.0 million
• 2009: Luiz Felipe Scolari (Chelsea) - £13.6 million