Sir Jim Ratcliffe reveals ‘biggest problem in football’ as he drops huge hint Man Utd rebuild could be delayed
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has revealed his frustration at “one of the biggest problems” in football.
The 71-year-old billionaire has taken over football operations at Manchester United since buying a 25 per cent stake in the club earlier this year.
He and INEOS have since set about trying to rebuild the whole club from top to bottom.
United confirmed the appointment of Jason Wilcox as technical director this week from Southampton in their latest change.
His arrival comes after Man Utd revealed ex-Man City man Omar Berrada as their new chief executive.
However, a new sporting director has not yet been appointed but is expected to be Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth, who is on gardening leave.
The two clubs are yet to agree on compensation with Toon reportedly seeking £20m to let him go after he arrived on a four-year deal in 2022.
United see that fee as too high, though, and Ratcliffe has now held face-to-face talks with Newcastle director Amanda Staveley to try to find a resolution.
Ratcliffe secured a PB in the London Marathon this morning before dashing to Wembley to watch the Red Devils throw away a three-goal lead to Coventry City in the FA Cup semi final.
And when providing an update on progress at United, he revealed his anguish at the red tape and hold-ups while speaking to BBC presenter Gabby Logan.
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Ratcliffe said: “It’s a long journey really the football because one of the biggest problems is that you get these new guys to come into the team, really capable people, but they are all on gardening leave.
“So it takes you six months, a year or 18 months – it’s a real issue in football.
“They can’t work for us, the fans are impatient and I have some sympathy with that.
“But it’s a journey and, whether they like it or not, they have to be a bit patient. It’s not a lightswitch, it takes a bit of time.”
Another thing Ratcliffe and INEOS want to do is transform Old Trafford – or build a completely new stadium and make it a “Wembley of the North”.
When asked about that by Logan, he replied: “I’d love to do that. I think that would be fantastic for the north of England.
Inside Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Man Utd reboot
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is overhauling the hierarchy at Man United after his £1.03billion takeover of 27.7 per cent of the club.
His new crew at Old Trafford includes:
SIR DAVE BRAILSFORD
The Olympic cycling legend is head of sport for Ratcliffe’s INEOS group.
He is now on the board of Man Utd overseeing the revamp.
OMAR BERRADA
The former Man City director was hired as CEO in January.
He previously held a senior role with Barcelona.
JEAN-CLAUDE BLANC
The INEOS CEO has joined the board of the club.
Blanc has held prominent positions at Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain previously.
JASON WILCOX
He was appointed technical director at United this week.
The former Blackburn Rovers winger held a similar role at Southampton and was previously academy director at Manchester City.
Wilcox will report to the sporting director.
DAN ASHWORTH – TBC
The former West Brom and Football Association chief has been placed on gardening leave by Newcastle.
United want him to become their new sporting director.
However, they and Newcastle have so far been unable to agree on a compensation package.
“I think that whole area of southern Manchester, it’s where the industrial revolution began, and that’s why they built Old Trafford there.
“The workers would finish their shift, walk to the ground – so it was where industry and manufacturing began.
“It’s a really important area but it’s run down, so to regenerate that area and build a Wembley of the North would be a marvellous project and we could achieve it.”
Suddenly, he intervened again to cut-short the conversation by signing off with: “Anyway, I need to get to the match.”