Breaking News: Manchester United has finally have their replacement for ‘magnificent’ David Gill

After David Gill left his position as Man United’s CEO in 2013, the team has declined in the ensuing ten years.

Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill at the FA Cup final. (Image: 2023 Chris Brunskill/Fantasista)

When David Gill’s exit from Manchester United was confirmed, Sir Alex Ferguson called it a major loss.

Gill felt that leaving was the right decision, despite having served as chief executive for ten fruitful years and being Ferguson’s ideal counterpoint in terms of recruitment and squad overhauls.

Ferguson expressed his disappointment, saying, “It is a great loss to me that he is stepping down, but I am encouraged that his departure is sincere and that he feels it is time for the club to move on.” I would have loved to have convinced him to stay if I had been able to. However, I respect him for the decision he made.”

“I have always been conscious of the fact that I was just a temporary custodian of this marvellous institution,” Gill continued, adding that serving United for a total of 16 years had been “the greatest privilege.”

“I am also of the view that all businesses need to refresh themselves with new management and ideas and after 10 years in charge, I believe it is appropriate for someone new to pick up the baton.”

In the same summer, Ferguson retired. Sadly, Ed Woodward took up the mantle and managed a decade of failure (only three trophies were won) until his departure in January 2022.

A graduate of Bristol University, Woodward was unfit to oversee the football department and over £1 billion was lost under his leadership—a fact that his successor wished to disassociate himself from.

Despite Woodward’s friendship with Richard Arnold, a fellow graduate of Bristol University, who swore to be different, the pair’s connections and shared economics background made the rebranding seem unachievable.

Arnold deserves credit for giving football director John Murtough more authority and for getting different opinions on investor calls while focusing on commercial business and removing himself from football-related issues.

Nonetheless, a lot of people believed that his status was unsustainable because of the Mason Greenwood incident, which turned into a scandal for the team in August, and not many of his fans were sad to see him go.

Arnold made the decision to step down before he could be pressured, and Jean-Claude Blanc is the clear favorite to take over as the club’s CEO. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment was about to be approved.

Blanc has the necessary experience; he was previously the chief executive of Juventus and departed from a senior position at Paris Saint-Germain last December to oversee INEOS’ sporting portfolio.

Gill’s position was unfillable for Woodward and Arnold, but Blanc has a chance. His extensive experience makes him just the kind of person the team needs, as poor boardroom management has always been the issue at Old Trafford rather than excessive spending.

INEOS wants to appoint the best in the business to give themselves every chance of success, and it is hoped that decisions like the European Super League and the Greenwood scandal won’t happen again when Ratcliffe arrives.

The football director, John Murtough, is expected to leave his position, and the days of Glazer acolytes leading the team are drawing to an end. A new sporting director will be named soon.

After doing some due diligence, INEOS received positive feedback on Murtough, according to The MEN this week. As a result, it’s possible that he will stay and take on an administrative role.

Although names like Paul Mitchell (formerly of Monaco) and Michael Edwards (formerly of Liverpool) have been mentioned elsewhere, Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth is the INEOS’s top pick for the sporting director position.

Ratcliffe’s early indications are encouraging, and United needs the best players in the boardroom.