Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25 percent stake was finally announced on Christmas Eve. It is said that Jim Ratcliffe paid a whopping £1.03 billion for his shares, plus £237 million to go towards infrastructure at the club. There have been questions regarding Erik Ten Hag’s job but the management is currently focused on appointing a new sports director.
Although the deal is still pending approval as it may take the Premier League several weeks to approve, Manchester United is already planning an overhaul of their football operations, with Julian Ward currently topping the list of contenders for United’s Sporting Director role.
Who is Julian Ward?
Manchester United has been grappling with more than a decade of costly underperformance and now they are looking to appoint Julian Ward as their new football director to completely restructure their football operations.
Julian Ward is said to have had an impressive 11-year tenure at Liverpool. He took on the role of Liverpool’s sporting director after Michael Edwards. His involvement in Anfield’s signings led to the success of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez’s signings. However, just months after taking on the role of Liverpool’s sporting director, Ward gave up the position to everyone’s surprise.
Jason Burt of the Telegraph noted that “Ward is still highly rated and officially left Liverpool in May.” Therefore, his expertise in player recruitment and strategic planning could potentially be a game-changer for United, a club that has long been in search of direction and improvement in these critical areas.
Julian Ward emerges as potential candidate for United’s sporting director role
The Manchester United management board has just recently witnessed a significant change, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe welcomed on board yesterday. Since then, there have been questions as to who might take on the role of the new sporting director, with Julian Ward as a major contender.
The unexpected emergence of Julian Ward, former Liverpool sporting director, as a formidable candidate for the role of sporting director at Manchester United has ignited significant intrigue in the football world as Manchester United’s backroom staff takes on a new shape.
Jason Burt of the Telegraph noted that “Julian Ward has emerged as a surprise candidate being considered for the role of sporting director at Manchester United.”
Manchester United is in a critical moment where they are trying to turnaround their football operations in the face of their current downturn.
Julian Ward was formerly Liverpool’s sporting director. He came into office after Michael Edwards and if he secures the United job, he’ll be facing a significant challenge considering how badly Manchester United’s situation has degenerated.
Will the new takeover at Manchester United be able to finally turn things around for the club? Tell us what you think in the comments.
