Manchester United Announce Boardroom Shakeup Under New Owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Manchester United have announced the departures of interim CEO Patrick Stewart and CFO Cliff Baty as part of a boardroom shakeup at Manchester United following the departure of senior staff under new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS. "Patrick and Cliff have decided to leave the club at the end of the season by mutual consent," the club said in a statement.

Jean-Claude Blanc, the chief executive of United's minority owners Ineos Sport, will serve as the interim CEO until July 13, 2023, when Omar Berrada will take over as the new CEO after his arrival from Manchester City. Roger Bell, the former CFO at Ineos Sport, will replace Cliff Baty.

The changes are part of a broader restructuring at United, with football director John Murtough stepping down to make way for Dan Ashworth, and Jason Wilcox moving from Southampton to become the club's new technical director. "We are establishing a new management team to take the club forward," said Ratcliffe, who thanked Stewart and Baty for their support during the transition.

Co-chairman Joel Glazer also expressed gratitude for Stewart and Baty's dedicated service. "Patrick and Cliff have provided the club with valuable expertise and support during a period of significant change and their contribution is greatly appreciated," Glazer said.

Why this matters: The changes in executive leadership at Manchester United signals a new era under the ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS. The changes in key executive positions are expected to have a significant impact on the club's business, commercial, and football operations as they aim to rebuild and compete at the highest level.

Ratcliffe, a boyhood United fan and billionaire owner of chemicals giant INEOS, completed his acquisition of 27.7% of the club's shares in a deal valued at around £1.3bn. He is keen to either rebuild Old Trafford or create a completely new arena, which he wants to develop as 'the national stadium of the north'. The future of manager Erik ten Hag remains uncertain after a disappointing 2023/24 season, with speculation linking Gareth Southgate, Graham Potter, and Thomas Tuchel to the job.

Key Takeaways

• Manchester United announces departure of interim CEO Patrick Stewart and CFO Cliff Baty.
• Jean-Claude Blanc and Roger Bell to serve as interim CEO and CFO, respectively.
• Dan Ashworth to replace John Murtough as football director, Jason Wilcox as technical director.
• New ownership by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS signals a restructuring of the club's leadership.
• Ratcliffe plans to either rebuild Old Trafford or create a new stadium as the 'national stadium of the north'.