Manchester United Hired £175k Body Language Consultant Under Ten Hag

Former Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag was responsible for hiring a body language consultant paid £175,000 annually to help players improve their penalty shootout performances by reading opponents' facial expressions and gestures. Despite the club winning two penalty shootouts against Brighton and Coventry during the consultant's tenure, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe viewed the expense as unnecessary and a symbol of broader financial inefficiencies he inherited at the club. Since taking operational control in February 2024, Ratcliffe has initiated extensive cost-cutting measures, including hundreds of job cuts and the dismissal of key positions, to restore the club's profitability. The consultant's appointment, approved by club management primarily to support Ten Hag, was seen internally as a luxury expense, which Ratcliffe opposed. Ten Hag's sacking in October followed a disappointing league performance, and Ratcliffe's tightening grip on the club reflects his intent to overhaul spending and management practices. This episode highlights tensions between Ten Hag’s innovative but costly approach and Ratcliffe’s austerity-driven strategy.