Fergie’s back! Jim Ratcliffe ‘will seek advice’ from legendary boss Sir Alex as he plans radical overhaul of Manchester United’s football operation after £1.3bn buyout… with FIVE names in the running to become sporting director
Sir Jim Ratcliffe will reportedly seek advice from legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson as he prepares to take charge of football operations at Old Trafford.
The INEOS billionaire completes a £1.3 billion deal to acquire a 25 percent stake in United from the Glazer family.
According to the Daily telegramwill look to Ratcliffe Ferguson, 81, for advice and guidance as he plots a comprehensive overhaul of the football side.
This could boost Dougie Freedman’s chances of becoming United’s new sporting director amid stiff competition.
The Scot, who currently plays a similar role at Crystal Palace, has been a friend and ally of compatriot Ferguson for many years. Freedman was previously a neighbor of Ferguson in Cheshire before taking up his post at Palace in 2017.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe (left) will reportedly seek advice from legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson (right) on who should become Manchester United’s new sporting director
It could mean good news for Dougie Freedman, a friend and former neighbor of Ferguson
Ratcliffe has his work cut out for him in his attempts to transform the Red Devils’ fortunes
The Glazer family retains control of the club, despite initially wanting to sell their majority stake
Freedman spent time with Ferguson in his office at Old Trafford in 2011 when he was Palace manager.
The 49-year-old’s eye for promising talent and diligent scouting could prove attractive for United, with Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi and Michael Olise among successful arrivals at Selhurst Park in recent years.
The Telegraph reports that other candidates for sporting directors include Atalanta’s Lee Congerton, Atletico Madrid’s Andrea Barta and AC Milan duo Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara.
An appointment of Ratcliffe to this department would leave current football director John Murtough’s position vulnerable.
Meanwhile, Jean-Claude Blanc, a leading figure at Ratcliffe’s INEOS Sport, is one of the leading candidates to replace Richard Arnold as CEO.
United have been in decline on the pitch since Ferguson retired in 2013 after almost 27 years at the helm.
They have failed to win a Premier League title in the last ten years, claiming one FA Cup, two League Cups and one Europa League, despite spending more than £1 billion on players and having four permanent managers manage to achieve.
Ten Hag’s team has started the current season inconsistently, losing as many games as they have won in all competitions.
Man United CEO Richard Arnold will leave the club at the end of December
Patrick Stewart (left), United’s general counsel, will become interim CEO of Man United
United football director John Murtough pictured with Erik ten Hag during preparation
United are sixth in the Premier League despite losing five of their opening 12 games, but they have already been knocked out of the Carabao Cup and are staring at elimination from the Champions League.
As previously reported by Mail Sport, Ratcliffe’s upcoming investment will give the British billionaire a major say in the composition of United’s executive and management teams, with Arnold being the first casualty.
Erik ten Hag’s job is believed to be safe for now unless results deteriorate significantly in the coming weeks. But Murtough’s position is also under scrutiny as Ineos executives have privately expressed doubts about some of United’s recent transfer activities.
Ratcliffe’s investment is expected to be confirmed next week, but it could take another two months before it is ratified by the Premier League.
The club will conduct a thorough search for a new CEO, although Blanc’s position as a senior employee of Ineos counts in his favor, as does his experience as CEO and chairman of Juventus and another executive role at Paris Saint-Germain.
It is expected that Ineos sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford will also be involved, but he may act in an advisory capacity rather than in a formal role.
Arnold replaced Ed Woodward as CEO in February 2022. The 52-year-old has been instrumental in United’s strong commercial growth over the past decade, signing a £900m kit deal with Adidas and £60m earlier this year to secure shirt sponsorship with Qualcomm. was widely criticized for the club’s handling of the Mason Greenwood saga, which led to the England striker being loaned out to Getafe after a turnaround at United.
Joel Glazer, executive co-chairman of United, said: “We are fortunate to be able to call on Patrick Stewart’s deep knowledge and experience to provide stability and continuity as we conduct our search for a new permanent CEO.”