January 30th 2024.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire owner of Manchester United, is not one to sit idly by and wait for things to happen. He has big plans for the club and is determined to make them a reality as soon as possible. That's why, despite his £1.3 billion investment in the team still awaiting approval from the Premier League, Sir Jim isn't wasting any time in implementing changes.
One of the major changes on the horizon is the appointment of a Sporting Director, a first for Manchester United. After careful consideration, INEOS, Sir Jim's company, has narrowed down the shortlist to just two names. And it seems they are on track to make the final decision in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, Sir Jim has already made his first major appointment: Omar Berrada as the club's new CEO. Berrada, who joins from Manchester City, will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Manchester United under Sir Jim's ownership.
With over £450 million spent under former manager Erik ten Hag and no league title to show for it, Sir Jim is keenly aware that change is needed. The club simply cannot afford to continue spending recklessly, especially with the Profit and Sustainability Rules and United's existing debt. That's why Sir Jim wanted Berrada in place before making any further changes, so that he can have an input on the appointment of the Sporting Director.
Speaking of which, the final two candidates for the role are Newcastle's Dan Ashworth and Crystal Palace's Dougie Freedman. Both are highly regarded in the football world and have impressive resumes. Another name in the mix is Paul Mitchell, who previously led the recruitment efforts at Tottenham Hotspur. And let's not forget about Julian Ward, the man credited with transforming Liverpool's transfer operations.
It's a weighty task, and United are even considering appointing a head of recruitment alongside the Sporting Director to help shoulder the load. But with Sir Jim's determination and a strong team in place, there's no doubt that Manchester United is on the cusp of a new era.
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