As I understand it, the longer it's left, the cheaper it will be to get rid of him although I don't know the details of the the early termination clause in this case, the payout is usually determined by the length of time left on the contract. Assuming it is a simple payout of lost earnings, that could be 30mil if sacked now, 15 mil if sacked next June - quite a significant amount, even for United.It's a lot more expensive lose out on champions league than it is to fire him, let alone lose champions league and then fire him
Then factor in potential earnings with the Champions League on top - it's not just a simple 'sack him know will cost xx-mil but we MIGHT get yy-mil next year.
Selling that to Shareholders, and the potential impact on the share price (remember we are listed on the NYSE and have rules and financial regulations to follow there) which will also then impact the debt management and 'value' of the club etc etc etc.
Sorry - corporate head on again.
As a fan, I would say get rid now, I have been saying that for a while as a fan, but a lot of what goes on in the boardroom does make some sense. The early contract extension offered would have been as much about share prices as it was about football. Markets love stability. This will also be a huge deciding factor on if and when that contract is terminated.
Mourinho is on about 15mill a year until 2020 with an optional extension of 1 yr (not sure who has the option) so, even if the termination is simply lost earnings, say 2 years at 15mil, plus one at 50% for the option = 37.5Mil payout. Wait a year, it drops to 22.5mil. But this is a basic minimum I would guess.