27 March 2024 , 20:25
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Only 36 days have passed since Sir Jim Ratcliffe officially completed his deal to take control of Manchester United, but his presence is already being felt.
Omar Berrada has been poached from Manchester City to become United’s new chief executive while the pursuit of Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth as sporting director continues. Crystal Palace ’s Dougie Freedman and Southampton ’s Jason Wilcox are also being targeted for crucial behind-the-scenes roles at the new-look club.
Ratcliffe, INEOS’ head of sport Sir Dave Brailsford and chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc have also been busy assessing their options for coaches. They are not convinced by Erik ten Hag, who is likely to stay in position until the end of the season, but could then be replaced.
As reported by Mirror Football, England manager Gareth Southgate is Ratcliffe’s number one choice to replace Ten Hag, but they are also keen to speak to Wolves manager Gary O’Neil about taking up a coaching role at the club next season. Ratcliffe has tasked Brailsford with gathering information and opinions on those who could help take United to the next level – and they are now enacting the recommendations.
Ratcliffe may be a boyhood United fan, but he hasn’t invested £1.3billion out of loyalty; he is a hard-nosed businessman and wants to see a return on his money. The 71-year-old petrochemicals billionaire already has involvement in two other football clubs – Nice and Lausaunne – as well as a one-third share in the Mercedes Formula One team and an INEOS cycling and sailing team.
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United had been forewarned about Ratcliffe’s no-nonsense approach. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff explained how Ratcliffe and his INEOS team operate back in October. “This is a no bull**** organisation,” he said. “They are huge in terms of revenue and profit. Decisions are being made quickly – three bullet points on a page and ‘here we go’. With Jim all the bull**** is cut out. So I think wherever he gets his power, and his resource and character behind it, that’s going to be an add-on for any team.”
It has been made clear that nobody is safe now Ratcliffe is in charge – especially not the manager. Ten Hag was put on notice when INEOS took over. The message was clear: the Glazers may not have been too bothered, but the new regime are paying close attention.
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The choices of Southgate and O’Neil suggest that they are targeting the best homegrown coaches – those they think will be able to improve players. INEOS wants a coach, not an old-school larger-than-life manager who will have a say across all areas.
Speaking last month, Ratcliffe outlined his plans for the overhaul of staff at United. “We have to ensure that the right people end up in the right positions,” he told Belgian newspaper De Tijd. “Every person in management must be world-class. And then it is important to create a positive, supportive, friendly and high-quality environment. That culture was missing before. Only in such an environment can you get the best out of sportsmen. If successful, the results will follow automatically. That's the plan and I believe in it.”
The summer ahead promises to contain plenty of upheaval in all areas. Ratcliffe has been clear about his desired approach to player recruitment and new coaching staff and senior executives are incoming. Ten Hag is unlikely to survive the pending changes and the interest in Southgate and O’Neil shows the direction of travel.
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