Jose Mourinho sacking cost: Manchester United reveal how much they paid Mourinho after sacking

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Manchester United's half-yearly accounts have confirmed that Jose Mourinho and his staff were handed a staggering £19.6million (Sh2,518,767,768) pay-off following his dismissal in December.

Mourinho was sacked after a dismal start to the season, culminating in a chastening 3-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield.

His exit came less than one year after the Portuguese was handed a massive new contract by executive vice-president Ed Woodward.

Listed as an "exceptional item" in the club's latest accounts - which were revealed by Woodward during a conference call on Thursday - the figure includes fees paid to senior goalkeeping coach Silvino Louro, opposition scout Ricardo Formosinho, fitness coaches Stefano Rapetti and Carlos Lalin and analyst Giovanni Cera.

The report states: "Exceptional items for the quarter were £19.6million, relating to compensation to the former manager and certain members of the coaching staff for loss of office."

Mourinho received £15million of the figure, with the remaining £4.6million split among his backroom staff.

The dismissal of the Portuguese led to the return to the club of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as caretaker boss, with the Norwegian overseeing a stark improvement.

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Led by a rejuvenated Paul Pogba, United have won 10 of their 11 domestic matches under Solskjaer, with their only defeat coming in the Champions League - to Paris Saint-Germain - this week.

Woodward has praised Solskjaer's impact, declaring:  "The appointment of Ole and Mike [Phelan] as caretaker manager and assistant manager, working with Kieran [McKenna], Michael [Carrick] and Emilio [Alvarez, goalkeeping coach], has had a positive impact throughout the club.

"We are delighted with the improvement in the team’s performances since December and we look forward to a strong finish to the 18/19 season."

The club have also announced record revenues for the second financial quarter of 2019, totalling £208.6million and record adjusted EBITDA of £104.3million.

Additionally, the club's net debt was revealed to have decreased by £10.9million over the year, and now stands at £317.7million.

Matchday revenue has also risen to £39million, an increase of £2.1million on the previous quarter - thanks primarily down to playing one extra Champions League fixture at Old Trafford.

Broadcasting revenue for the quarter was also up by £28.5million, to £103.7million, a 37.9% rise on the previous year quarter, due primarily to a new Champions League broadcasting rights agreement.