His arrival at the Manchester United offices had the effect of a bomb. After the announcement on December 24, 2023 in which Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS announced the repurchase of 25% of Manchester United’s shares, the English club then confirmed the acquisition of this stake by the 71-year-old businessman in February 2024. The Premier League also gave the green light a few days ago: “Manchester United are pleased to confirm that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has completed his acquisition of 27.7% of the club, following approval of all conditions, including from the FA and the Premier League”explains the Red Devils press release this Tuesday evening, Jim Ratcliffe thus officially becoming the co-owner of the English club. But many wondered what impact this great revolution would have internally. While Erik ten Hag continues to be challenged in England and the Red Devils are having the worst start to the season in their history with 8 points after 7 days, observers and supporters have asked Jim Ratcliffe to come out from his media cave.
And we had to be patient but the billionaire spoke well in recent days, reassuring the Dutch tactician for a while: “I don’t want to answer that question…I like Erik. I think he’s a very good manager, but at the end of the day it’s not me who decides, it’s the management team at Manchester United who have to decide how best to manage the team well. respects. But this Manchester United management team has only been together since June or July. They haven’t been there long, so they need to take stock and make reasonable decisions. We want to get Manchester United back to where they should be, and they’re not there yet, that’s very clear.”he assured. However, nothing is going well with the residents of Old Trafford who are experiencing their worst start to the season on the offensive level since 1972-1973 with only 5 goals scored in 7 days. A major, exceptional summit took place on Tuesday and one thing is certain: Sr. Jim Ratcliffe is not only making friends across the Channel. Indeed, the English tabloids have scrutinized the attitude of the boss of Ineos.
A 7-hour meeting but radio silence
According to information from The Sunthe co-owner of the Red Devils met several key managers of the Mancunian club in London after the dismal start to the season. Sir Jim Ratcliffe was seen arriving at the meeting at around 9.30am, while Sir Dave Brailsford and sporting director Dan Ashworth were also seen heading towards the building where the gathering of Manchester United’s top brass was taking place. Without a victory in five matches in all competitions, Erik Ten Hag approaches this international break with an uncertain future. However, Ratcliffe gave no indication of the manager’s position after the meeting. The 71-year-old Ineos boss left the premises through a small, discreet back door around 4:45 p.m. He then drove off in a car with tinted windows, refusing to stop and answer questions from journalists and fans, leaving fans stunned and journalists completely shocked by his lackadaisical attitude. Whether Ten Hag will still be in charge in their next match against Brentford at Old Trafford on October 19 is anyone’s guess.
All this, for that? Indeed, despite a 7-hour meeting, the leaders of Manchester United were unable to give a few details on the continuation of the sporting project, or even to confirm or deny certain rumors present in the English press in recent days. Ratcliffe held crucial discussions with Manchester United bosses. That’s about the only thing certain so far. As a reminder, if Erik Ten Hag were to be fired, he could receive a huge severance package since he signed a one-year extension this summer. He will be entitled to compensation of £17.5 million, one of the largest in the club’s history. Ten Hag assistant and club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy is favorite to become the next conductor. Other suitors include former England manager Gareth Southgate, former Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel, former Chelsea head coach Graham Potter, Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna and former Liverpool target Ruben Amorim.
