Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly met numerous managers in recent months to ensure he pulls Manchester United in the opposite direction that the club has gone under the Glazer family’s rule. The INEOS co-founder has gone the extra mile since sealing a 27.7 per cent stake in United in his bid to restore former glories at Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe has overseen significant change off the pitch since his £1.3billion investment in the club, which also inherited total control over football operations, was confirmed in February.
Chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough had been two prominent names over the last decade of mediocrity.
But both have now departed United as part of a structural shake-up and been replaced by who Ratcliffe considers leading figures in the industry.
Omar Berrada is joining from Manchester City as chief executive this summer, while Dan Ashworth will become sporting director once Newcastle United agree to let him complete the move.
Jason Wilcox is set to become United’s new technical director in the coming weeks after resigning from his role as Southampton’s sporting director. Darren Fletcher will be handed a new title.
As part of his pursuit for first-in-class operations in M16, Ratcliffe is reportedly actively meeting football figures for experience and insight, something the Glazers have neglected.
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According to The Athletic, the 71-year-old has met several managers since gaining power at United. A handful were in attendance at a Grenadier launch event in London in February.
The launch night of the car – designed and sold by INEOS – welcomed former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, ex-England boss Roy Hodgson and Brentford’s Thomas Frank, among others.
Ratcliffe also attended a group dinner with the trio present as he fine-tunes his knowledge of elite English football to upgrade United’s fortunes.
Sir Dave Brailsford is Ratcliffe’s closest confidant within their project at Old Trafford, and he has been a regular presence at Carrington this year, another welcome change from the Glazers’ habits.
He is completing a thorough audit of United’s operations and providing feedback to Ratcliffe and the club’s hierarchy so that appropriate adjustments can be made.
Before Berrada, Wilcox and Ashworth’s arrivals, Brailsford will oversee an interim team of decision-makers after Murtough’s departure this week.
Director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves, deputy football director Andy O’Boyle, and director of football operations David Harrison are included.
But Ratcliffe is also doing his bit by meeting figures like Lampard and Hodgson, who have varied levels of experience in the Premier League and on the international stage.
