Manchester United are expected to make a number of changes if and when Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in the club materialises after a drawn-out takeover process
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Richard Arnold could be first in the firing line once Sir Jim Ratcliffe formalises his investment in Manchester United, it has been claimed.
Arnold succeeded Ed Woodward as the club’s CEO in early 2022, remaining in the post when the Glazer family began exploring takeover options in November of that year. Following a long and drawn-out process, with bids from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani considered, a minority stake for British billionaire Ratcliffe looks to be on the cards.
The arrival of the INEOS chief is expected to bring about a number of changes in the structure of the club. One of these, according to the latest reports from around Old Trafford, could see Arnold make way less than two years after taking up his role.
According to The Athletic, Arnold ‘understands’ he would be expected to leave if Ratcliffe succeeds in his bid. The billionaire is believed to want sporting control if successful with his investment, though Arnold would not immediately leave his post.
Ratcliffe is not thought to have made a final decision on who might take over from Arnold, but the same report indicates Jean-Claude Blanc is being eyed up. Blanc, who has held senior roles with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, took up a post relating to INEOS’ sport portfolio last year.
INEOS have already dipped their toe into football in the form of French club OGC Nice and Swiss outfit Lausanne-Sport, and also have a presence in sports such as cycling and Formula 1.
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Richard Arnold has been involved with Manchester United since 2007 (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
Arnold has held a number of roles within the United structure since first joining the club in 2007. His exit is not set in stone, with work still left to be done when it comes to finalising Ratcliffe’s investment, and even then there is a chance the CEO stays in some capacity.
While questions remain over Arnold’s future, manager Erik ten Hag is not thought to be at risk. The Dutchman came under pressure following a run of defeats earlier in the season, but has turned things around domestically and in Europe.
“I think it’s hard to say - I think he’s been a very good coach so far, I like him,” former United star Paul Scholes told TNT Sports in midweek when asked about Ten Hag. “He’s been ruthless in a job that is incredibly difficult, he’s essentially been thrown out to the lions in the sense of answering every single question thrown at him by the media and I think he’s handled it really well.
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“Has he put a team together that is good enough to challenge for the Premier League? No, but it looked like a good start towards the end of last season.
“We’ve come into the summer and the recruitment hasn’t been there, it’s not at the level of competing with the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool. There’s still a lot of work to do, but he’s the right man, whether Jim is coming in to bring someone else in or not.”
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