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Manchester United’s minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has appointed close confidants Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc to the club’s UK board.
Rob Nevin sits at the PLC board.
Earlier on Sunday, United confirmed in a club statement that they had reached an agreement with Ratcliffe for a 25% stake.
The deal gives the INEOS billionaire full control of United’s sports business.
In a major move by the Glazers to cede some control, Ratcliffe will have significant decision-making power in the team at Old Trafford.
It is understood that the British businessman has been planning a radical overhaul of the club’s functioning for some time.
Brailsford will help Ratcliffe implement these changes.
Former Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain chief Jean-Claude Blanc has also been mentioned as a front-runner to replace CEO Richard Arnold, who stepped down a few weeks ago.
Dan Ashworth, Paul Mitchell and Dougie Freedman are among the candidates for sporting director, but John Murtagh’s future is far from secure.
As details of Mr Ratcliffe’s deal with the Glazers emerge, it is believed that Mr Brailsford and Mr Brann have been given a mandate by the petrochemical industry tycoon to sit on United’s UK board.
BBC journalist Simon Stone said: “Subject to all necessary approvals, Sir Jim Ratcliffe will delegate seats on the PLC board to INEOS shareholder John Rees and INEOS Sports chairman Rob Nevin. ”.” I will be delegating my seat on the British Club Board to Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc.”
Subject to all necessary approvals, Sir Jim Ratcliffe will delegate seats on the PLC board to INEOS shareholder John Reece and INEOS Sport chairman Rob Nevin. He will be delegating his seat on the British club’s board to Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) December 24, 2023
This is confirmed by the reliable Ben Jacobs.
🚨 Details about Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of up to 25% of Manchester United’s shares. This represents 25% (17%) of the Glazers’ B shares and up to 25% (17%) of the A shares, according to reports. The latter process is a tender and forms part of a six to eight week completion process. Ratcliffe is expected to play… pic.twitter.com/WxE5xsMGUq
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobBen) December 24, 2023
The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson reported that Brailsford will begin assessing United’s problems without delay.
Matters to be addressed include the future of Erik ten Hag and the football structure.
According to the Muppets, who are relatively reliable sources on United news, Brailsford will be attending Tuesday’s match between United and Aston Villa.
Brailsford will play against Villa.
— UnitedMuppetiers (@Muppetiers) December 24, 2023
Despite still needing formal approval from the Premier League, Ratcliffe and his men are certainly wasting no time getting started.