Main candidates for the post of Manchester United director
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, in the process of finalizing his minority takeover of Manchester United, is already orchestrating strategic moves to revive the club’s former glory. With CEO Richard Arnold departing and INEOS Sport CEO Jean-Claude Blanc poised to take the reins, the spotlight is now on finding a new sporting director.
Ratcliffe has been critical of United’s recruitment strategy, deeming it “shockingly poor” and branding them as ‘the dumb money.’ The club’s recent struggles in the Premier League and Champions League have intensified the scrutiny of current sporting director John Murtough. Use Mostbet-AZ 90 to bet on matches of the English Premier League and other European championships.
Here is a closer look at the candidates Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS colleague Sir Dave Brailsford are considering to spearhead Manchester United’s rejuvenation:
Dougie Freedman
Former Crystal Palace striker Dougie Freedman has been instrumental in solidifying Palace’s status in the Premier League through shrewd moves since becoming their sporting director in 2017. Known for acquiring talented but underrated youngsters, his success stories include Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, and Michael Olise, all of whom have become highly valuable assets. Freedman’s expertise aligns with United’s tradition of nurturing young talent, and his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson adds weight to his candidacy.
Andrea Berta
Working in the shadows of Diego Simeone, Andrea Berta has played a crucial role in Atletico Madrid’s decade-long success. Starting as a technical director in 2013, Berta’s tenure as sporting director since 2017 has seen Atletico secure two La Liga titles and consistently finish in the top three. Recognized for successful signings like Jan Oblak and Antoine Griezmann, Berta’s financial acumen in player transfers has been pivotal, although not without its challenges.
Paul Mitchell
Sir Jim Ratcliffe held high regard for Paul Mitchell during his time at Southampton and later at Tottenham, where he was instrumental in bringing in players like Son Heung-min and Dele Alli. Currently without a club after leaving Monaco, Mitchell’s track record in player recruitment and his previous connection with Ratcliffe position him as a strong contender for the role.
Lee Congerton
With a diverse career spanning youth development roles at Liverpool, chief scout at Chelsea, and recruitment positions at clubs like Sunderland, Celtic, and Atalanta, Lee Congerton brings a wealth of experience. Notable for his role in bringing Rasmus Hojlund to Atalanta, Congerton’s extensive football background and international scouting experience make him a compelling candidate.
Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara:
AC Milan’s legendary captain, Paolo Maldini, and sporting director Frederic ‘Ricky’ Massara played pivotal roles in securing the club’s first Serie A title in 11 years. Despite their success, the duo was let go by the club as part of a restructuring under American owner Gerry Cardinale. Now available, Maldini and Massara are reportedly under consideration by Ratcliffe for the Manchester United role.
As the chess pieces move, it remains to be seen who will step into the crucial role of sporting director and guide Manchester United through its rejuvenation under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership.