After months of speculation, INEOS finally pulled the plug on Erik ten Hag’s reign as Manchester United boss.
His heir, the latest up-and-coming coach from the continent, Ruben Amorim.
A winner of two league titles in Portugal with Lisbon-based outfit Sporting, Amorim will have his back up against the wall from day one, as he looks to avoid becoming the latest United manager to live and die by the sword.
But unlike previous United bosses, Amorim’s chalice doesn’t appear as poisoned, given Ratcliffe and co. have been hard at work building a round table filled with the country’s top footballing minds.
Ahead of Amorim’s coronation next month, Express Sport have taken a look at the brains behind the new-look INEOS project.
Ruben Amorim – Head coach
Man of the moment and the seventh permanent or interim United boss since Jose Mourinho took charge in 2016, optimism is high ahead of his arrival in the Premier League.
Amorim is known to be a man of principle, both on and off the pitch, with the 39-year-old unlikely to put up with any nonsense.
His first battle as United’s commander-in-chief is away to Ipswich Town on November 24.
Jason Wilcox – Technical Director
One of two ex-Manchester City bigwigs in United’s hierarchy, Jason Wilcox enjoyed a successful stint as academy director in East Manchester, overseeing the development of players like Cole Palmer and Phil Foden.
In his new role, Wilcox has full control over the technical aspects of United’s footballing department and will work directly with Amorim.
Christopher Vivell – Director of Recruitment
A man who will have a huge say in the players United buy going forward, Christopher Vivell’s say won’t be final, but he’ll have the ear of the sporting director to recommend the best possible talents.
Having enjoyed success as part of Red Bull’s multi-club model, Vivell has a strong CV of spotting promising talent, including Benjamin Sesko, Dayot Upamecano and Karim Adeyemi, who all came through the ranks under his reign.
Dan Ashworth – Sporting Director
United might’ve had to wait a while for Dan Ashworth to eventually become part of their team, but the ex-Newcastle United director of football is now firmly in place.
He’s the direct link between ownership and football operations, with Ashworth responsible for all areas of the club – men’s and women’s senior and youth teams – being a success.
Omar Berrada – CEO
Perhaps the biggest coup of the INEOS bigwig raid, Omar Berrada ditched his lucrative and important post at City, to take the reins at United.
Berrada has already laid down a marker, insisting he took over the sinking ship in order to help re-establish United as a ‘title-winning club’.
It’s a long and windy road ahead, but Berrada has already hinted at a complete culture shift away from the way United used to operate, on and off the pitch.
Jean-Claude Blanc – CEO of INEOS Sport
While his job role isn’t solely United-focused, given the Red Devils are now the biggest name in the INEOS sporting portfolio, Jean-Claude Blanc is a man of importance in and around Old Trafford.
Boasting stints at some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, on his CV, Blanc sits on the United board of directors, as well as the European Club Association and UEFA’s Club Competition Board of Administration.
In short, he’s a pretty important part of both the INEOS and United machine.
Dave Brailsford – Director of Sport
Making his name as a transformative figure in the world of cycling and the architect behind Britain’s success, both on the track and the road, Dave Brailsford has since branched out and now works under the INEOS umbrella.
‘Marginal gains’ has been the Brit’s mantra for close to two decades now, but with United languishing in the bottom half of the table, it’s likely only substantial improvements will cut it.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe – Chairman and CEO
And finally, the main man himself… Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
It’s easy to forget Ratcliffe isn’t the majority owner of United, given he’s been the one in the spotlight ever since securing a partial takeover of the three-time European champions.
But now, with all of his kingsmen in place, including a specially appointed manager of his own, it’s time for Ratcliffe and co. to deliver.
The INEOS project at Old Trafford is ready to go.
