Sir Jim Ratcliffe has told Manchester United staff he is not concerned about making a profit on his investment and just wants to lead the club to winning the biggest trophies again.
United’s new co-owner says the football team has failed over the past decade and is determined to bring success during his time at INEOS by creating an elite environment. He said the reasons for United’s subpar performance compared to other big European teams with similar budgets who compete for domestic titles and the Champions League every season need to be properly addressed. Without it, he argued, the status quo would be maintained.
Mr Ratcliffe’s frank assessment of United’s sporting performance since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson was in sharp contrast to the type of rhetoric previously used by members of the club’s hierarchy, and drew a lot of attention from those listening. We were warmly welcomed. In September, former CEO Richard Arnold told Stuff that United were “close and moving forward” with Manchester City and were “hunting down” their other rivals. Ta.
Ratcliffe has taken a dramatically different approach less than two weeks after finally signing a 25% deal for United. The British billionaire addressed an audience of employees in the Old Trafford lounge during an all-hands meeting on Thursday, drawing applause for what sources he was basing his remarks on. The Athletic Speaking on condition of anonymity, he described himself as “straightforward” and “honest” about issues that have plagued the club for many years.
Joel Glaser hasn’t spoken directly to many of his staff since his family took over in 2005, but Ratcliffe’s personal presence and the message he conveyed is said to have energized employees. ing.
Ratcliffe acknowledged the club had shown commercial resilience during the difficult times of the pandemic, but said he intended to measure achievements in silverware rather than revenue, keeping everyone focused on its priorities. I made it clear that it was necessary. Sources say this was a proclamation of “emancipation.”
Mr Ratcliffe, who grew up a United fan in the Manchester suburb of Failsworth, said he had no interest in recouping his $1.3 billion investment. He also wants to see significant improvements to Old Trafford and Carrington, and said the additional $300 million in funding, which will be converted into equity, is just the beginning of supporting that aim.
Staff said they were impressed by the scale of ambition and recognition of current reality.
Mr Ratcliffe was joined on stage by INEOS sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford, who is responsible for auditing United’s organization and personnel. Although he delivered most of the lectures, Brailsford focused on more abstract terms about philosophy, but he also left a good impression.
Brailsford began his work by visiting Carrington on New Year’s Eve, the day after United suffered their 14th defeat of the season to Nottingham Forest, and has spoken to staff and players from all areas in the days since.
The pair had a lengthy meeting with Erik ten Hag on Wednesday, which the United manager said was “very positive”. Ten Hag said: “We sat together for many hours and were on the same page on many issues. It was a very constructive meeting and we look forward to working with each other.
“They have good ideas. We have to see what we can integrate. We can work together, but you won’t know after a day.”
Several staffers in attendance Thursday similarly felt inspired but cautious about how Ratcliffe would execute his plan. It felt like he and Brailsford were putting pressure on people to perform and at the same time encouraging people to be part of the change.
Ratcliffe, Brailsford, Jean-Claude Blanc and Rob Nevin from United’s INEOS team have committed to Joel joining the club, which marks a change from the Washington DC and Tampa-based Glazer system. did. Florida.
Ratcliffe has accepted that he will have to wait until the Premier League approves his contract, but with approval expected in around six weeks, INEOS’ influence will begin in earnest. He said he and Mr Brailsford could go into more detail about their objectives, as the current situation has limited some of his candor.
Brailsford, along with Ratcliffe, also spoke at a gathering of United’s football staff at Carrington on Wednesday, delivering a similar message about the need for improvement on the pitch. He is believed to be targeting elite sports directors and established recruiting professionals.
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