The INEOS wave of change continues to wash all over Manchester United as the club have announced a new exit.
Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe took over the football operations at Manchester United, he has set himself and his group to work to overhaul things.
News of backroom staff changes, administration changes and planned squad overhauls have filled the media space in the last four months of Ratcliffe’s ownership stake being ratified. The club now has a new CEO and technical director, and are working on a new football/sporting director appointment.
A few players have also been earmarked for axing in the summer including Casemiro, Raphael Varane, Christian Eriksen and Anthony Martial. Marcus Rashford, while not on the chopping block, is also a consideration for a summer exit because of the transfer fee he could pull.
Coaching staff changes are also afoot at the club. Erik ten Hag’s tenure is being assessed with the general media consensus tilting towards the Dutchman’s exit in the summer. Reports – with evidence – of discussions with Thomas Tuchel have taken over the airwaves in recent times which gives credence to the notion that ten Hag is done at United.
Keeping in line with the overhaul being supervised by INEOS and Ratcliffe, Manchester United will now be working to appoint a new CFO – Chief Financial Officer in May. Alongside Cliff Baty, the soon-to-be ex-CFO of United, the current CEO of the club, Patrick Stewart will also be exiting his role officially in May for the new INEOS-annointed CEO, Omar Berrada, to resume duties in July. Baty’s role will be taken over by Roger Bell.
Before the new appointments are ratified at Old Trafford, INEOS bigwig Jean-Claude Blanc will take over as interim chief executive and will also oversee the financials of the club until Bell takes over in the summer.
A statement from United on the changes posted to their website reads: “By mutual consent, Patrick Stewart, interim Chief Executive Officer, and Cliff Baty, Chief Financial Officer, have decided to leave the club at the end of the season. Patrick will be replaced as CEO by Jean-Claude Blanc until the arrival of Omar Berrada on 13 July. Cliff Baty will be replaced as CFO by Roger Bell.
Joel Glazer said: “I would like to thank Patrick and Cliff for their dedicated service to Manchester United and wish them well for the future. Both have been a source of invaluable advice and expertise over many years, and Patrick has served an important role as interim CEO during this transitional phase.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe said: “I would like to personally thank both Patrick and Cliff for their support in helping us get to know the club and making us feel welcome and I respect their decisions to now move on as we establish a new management team for the club.”
