27
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ally and close confidant Sir Dave Brailsford is reportedly ready to take a step back from Manchester United as he aims to get back to some of his previous duties and responsibilities.
Ever since Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed his partial 27.7% investment into United, Brailsford has been leading INEOS’ thorough audit of the club in an effort to identify areas of improvement.
Brailsford has been mentioned to be Ratcliffe’s “eyes and ears” at United since the Oldham-born billionaire assumed full control of the Red Devils’ sporting operations.
Already, INEOS have made some progress at Old Trafford. In addition to securing the services of Omar Berrada who is set to come in as the next CEO and Richard Arnold’s long-term successor, United also got a deal for new technical director Jason Wilcox over the line.
Talks remain ongoing with Newcastle over Dan Ashworth, who took the Magpies to arbitration to force through a switch to United.
According to The Daily Mail, Brailsford’s influence at United is set to reduce with others who have been appointed to key positions shouldering more work.
The newspaper reports, “Sir Dave Brailsford has been at the forefront of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Old Trafford revolution since the Ineos billionaire invested in United, but Confidential understands that the former Great Britain cycling supremo is preparing to take a more withdrawn role.”
“The 60-year-old Ineos sporting director has made it clear that he plans to return to his base in Monaco in September which will enable him to have more involvement with Nice, the French club also owned by Ratcliffe.”
“It’s understood the timing could depend on Dan Ashworth’s arbitration battle with Newcastle which will determine how soon he can start work as United’s new sporting director.”
The Mail add, “Brailsford has been largely filling that role, in much the same way that Ineos chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc is acting as the club’s CEO until Omar Berrada begins his new job on July 13.”
It’s understood that Brailsford held multiple one-on-one conversations with the United players, who have been left impressed with his approach.
Brailsford is regarded as a “good listener” who is intent on fostering a positive environment at the club that allows everyone to produce at their very best.
Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.
