Manchester United’s effort to recruit key staff from other clubs under their new co-owners is causing tension.
Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team are improving the football decision-making department at the club, aiming for a more successful structure behind the scenes, especially in recruitment.
Manchester United are trying to hire Southampton’s Jason Wilcox as their new technical director and bring in Dan Ashworth from Newcastle United as sporting director.
Both Southampton and Newcastle United are unhappy about letting their important employees leave without a fair payment from Manchester United.
Southampton are challenging United’s claim that they have met a release clause in Wilcox’s contract, which is equal to a year’s salary, and could make him serve his 12-month notice period if they don't agree on a suitable fee.
Newcastle has placed Ashworth on leave and wants approximately £20m to allow him to move to Old Trafford, a fee that Ratcliffe considers too high.
United have also recruited Omar Berrada from Manchester City, who will become the CEO, but the deals for Wilcox and Ashworth are still in progress.
The Sun state that United’s actions for their new leadership are not being well-received across football and the new ownership is already facing disapproval.
Berrada was chosen in January, but will not begin work until the summer when his notice period at City ends.
‘Manchester United is happy to announce the appointment of Omar Berrada as its new CEO,’ a club statement said in January.
‘Our goal is to make Manchester United a title-winning club again. We are glad that Omar will join us to help achieve that goal, so that, once again, United fans can see, in the words of Sir Matt Busby, the red flag flying high at the summit of English, European, and world football.
‘Omar’s start date will be confirmed later; in the meantime, Patrick Stewart will continue as interim CEO.’
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