Exclusive: Richard Arnold Removed From Operational Activities
Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants a total Operational change before his takeover announcement of a 25% stake at Manchester United is done.
Football Operational activities will come under the scrutiny of Sir Jim Ratcliffe with various replacements for each role already being considered. Paul Mitchell and Jean-Claude Blanc are two strong names currently linked to Manchester United.
Paul Mitchell will likely become the new Manchester United Sporting director while Jean-Claude Blanc will become the new CEO of Manchester United on a permanent basis.
According to reliable sources from the Athletic — Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold is to Leave the club by the end of the year! An announcement will be made later today and will come shortly before Sir Jim Ratcliffe confirms his acquisition of a 25% stake in United.
PATRICK STEWART — Interim CEO:
Who is Patrick Stewart?
Patrick Stewart has been at Manchester United long enough to have seen a Champions League win, the club’s listing on the New York Stock Exchange, Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement — and the subsequent decade of underachievement.
Stewart joined United in 2006, becoming their chief legal officer and general counsel, responsible for overseeing the club’s legal and regulatory affairs, and managing relationships with key stakeholders, such as the Premier League.
Apart from the name he shares with the famous Star Trek actor, relatively little is known about Stewart. But he will be thrust into the spotlight when he becomes United’s interim chief executive following Richard Arnold’s departure.
How long, though, will Stewart be in his new role? Uncertainty continues to loom large at Old Trafford, with senior figures unsure what Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s proposed minority investment will mean for their careers.
Ratcliffe, the British billionaire behind petrochemicals company INEOS, is likely to want to appoint people he knows in key roles — such as Sir David Brailsford, the man behind Great Britain’s cycling success and the director of sport at INEOS.
His influence at United extends beyond the boardroom, with Stewart appearing at the Premier League’s shareholder meetings — the regular get-togethers attended by representatives of the 20 clubs in the English top flight. Source (The Athletic)
SPORTING DIRECTOR & CEO — Permanent Basis:
Paul Mitchell and Jean-Claude Blanc
Paul Mitchell was the former sporting director at As Monaco and his Influence during his days at AS Monaco could be very Key for Manchester United in scouting top-class talents from around the globe. Jean-Claude Blanc was the former CEO at Paris Saint-Germain where his impact was greatly felt.
It could be a new beginning for Manchester United, a club that has experienced so much retrogression for the last Ten years.
