New Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly directed club staff to return to the office as part of his revamp at Old Trafford.
Since Ratcliffe completed his 27.7% investment into the club, all focus has been on auditing United and identifying areas of improvement.
Ratcliffe and INEOS assumed full control of United’s sporting operations as part of his agreement with the Glazers.
According to The Athletic’s Adam Crafton, the 71-year-old British businessman and some of his closest allies including new interim CEO Jeane-Claude Blanc held a meeting with employees of the Red Devils to outline relay their plans for the club going forward.
Crafton has revealed some details of what was discussed in the meeting.
“Sir Jim Ratcliffe has ordered Manchester United’s non-football staff back into their offices in Manchester and London — insisting the club must end its work-from-home culture.”
“The initiative has been led by INEOS and was trailed to staff members during a meeting on Wednesday. These plans did receive some previous pushback from members of the United’s executive leadership, including interim chief executive Patrick Stewart, whose impending departure was announced on Tuesday night.”
“The news from Ratcliffe received mixed reviews, with some staff members energised by INEOS’ desire to shake things up, while others will have their life-work balance inconvenienced by the diktat. Ratcliffe wishes to bring United in line with INEOS’ policy of employees returning to their offices full-time.”
However, the petrochemicals mogul’s directive is set to face a major challenge – lack of enough space at United’s offices.
It’s understood that United’s office spaces in London were reconfigured to adapt to the hybrid working arrangements most staff have been functioning under since the Covid-19 pandemic. There is even less space in Manchester, where the office spaces were modified into matchday hospitality suites. As a result, there are not enough desks to accommodate those returning from a work-from-home style.
Crafton further states that Ratcliffe informed those present at the gathering that he is confident Dan Ashworth will join United and assume the maiden sporting director role at the Theatre of Dreams.
The 20-time English champions and Newcastle have of course been locked in a standoff regarding the future of Ashworth. The Magpies are believed to want an unrealistic compensation package worth around £20m to let their executive circumvent his notice period and start work at United immediately. Meanwhile, INEOS have made it clear they’re not prepared to fork out such an amount and are willing to wait as long as needed to get their man.
Additionally, The Athletic mentions that Ratcliffe informed club employees that he believes United will be restored to the pinnacle of English and European football once again. He explained that he wishes to realize this great ambition as soon as possible.
United return to action on Monday when they travel to Selhurst Park to take on Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace.
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