'Difficult' Tuchel is an elite coach - but a huge England risk

Mbappe's selfish Ballon d'Or bid could backfire badly

The demise of Jonas Eidevall at Arsenal

Top 25 best-value transfers of the 21st century - ranked

MUNDIAL: The home of weird and wonderful football stories

Kolo Muani, you beauty! France star bags brace in Belgium win

Man Utd's new £51m signing Ugarte makes honest admission

Raphinha is balling again! Resurgent Brazil cruise past Peru

Ronaldo branded 'embarrassing' after Portugal tantrum

Transfers LIVE: Barcelona to go 'all out' to land Haaland

Pep, Tuchel or Potter? England's manager candidates - ranked

Guardiola out? Man City consider Amorim as new manager

Best young players to buy on EA Sports FC 24 💎

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>Ferguson axed by INEOS group</li><li>Served as club director &amp; ambassador for 11 years</li><li>Ruthless decision taken to cut costs</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Sir Alex Ferguson axed by INEOS as legendary former Man Utd boss sees ambassador contract terminated in most ruthless Sir Jim Ratcliffe call yet

Premier League

Manchester United

Brentford

<p>Since buying a 27.7 per cent stake in United, INEOS have been on a mission to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/man-utd-huge-financial-loss-2023-24-transformative-cost-savings-new-ineos-regime-sir-ratcliffe/bltbe049cba60c400b3#cs29007e9395cc14b6" target="_blank">reduce the club's expenditures</a>. Now as part of the ongoing process, INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe has taken the ruthless decision to terminate legendary former manager Ferguson's multi-million pound contract as the club's global ambassador, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5842096/2024/10/15/manchester-united-alex-ferguson-contract-ineos/?source=twitteruk&amp;utm_campaign=twitterfc&amp;utm_medium=social" target="_blank">The Athletic</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>After <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/sir-alex-ferguson-manchester-united-retirement/blt73f0d1768e8e97c3" target="_blank">announcing his retirement from coaching in 2013</a>, Ferguson remained an integral part of the club as they retained his services as the global ambassador. The 82-year-old was paid £2.16 million (€2.58m/$2.84m) during his time in the role. He has also been serving as a director on the club's football board, although that position has been largely ceremonial as he has never been a part of the official board, which now includes the six Glazer siblings, INEOS co-owner John Reece and INEOS Sport’s chairman Rob Nevin, along with two independent directors Robert Leitao and John Hooks.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>While Ratcliffe has taken several <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/explained-why-sir-jim-ratcliffe-cut-250-jobs-man-utd-before-2024-25-season-ruthless-move/blt03d53fcd4d7bd299" target="_blank">difficult decisions</a> since taking charge of the club earlier this year, the removal of Ferguson is arguably the INEOS group's most <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/man-utd-staff-forced-eat-in-toilet-sir-jim-ratcliffe-financial-review-brutal-cost-cutting-measures/blt9f4c19cbb558c7cb" target="_blank">ruthless decision</a> to date. Ratcliffe informed Ferguson of his decision in person, with the Scot stepping down amicably.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Erik ten Hag's struggling United side will aim to end their five-match winless streak this weekend as they take on Brentford on Saturday in the Premier League at Old Trafford. Ferguson may be present in the stands again as the former Red Devils coach will remain a non-executive director at the club with the freedom to attend any home game he wishes to.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

Sir Alex Ferguson axed by INEOS as legendary former Man Utd boss sees ambassador contract terminated in most ruthless Sir Jim Ratcliffe call yet | Goal.com Malaysia

INEOS have terminated Sir Alex Ferguson&apos;s contract as a global ambassador for Manchester United, as part of their ongoing cost-cutting process.