Patrick Stewart will take on the role of interim Manchester United boss when Richard Arnold leaves the club at the end of the year.
The Athletic reported last month that Arnold, who replaced Ed Woodward in February 2022, is expected to depart if Sir Jim Ratcliffe is successful in his bid to buy a 25 percent stake in the club.
United have not yet confirmed Ratcliffe’s planned £1.3bn investment – one that will see the British billionaire take control of the sport – but Arnold will depart as part of an expected wider off-field restructuring.
Stewart, the Old Trafford club’s legal adviser and member of the board, will take on the role on an interim basis, having already been given day-to-day management of the club.
Stewart is United’s most senior lawyer, responsible for managing the club’s legal and regulatory affairs and acting as an arbitrator at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
He said: “Together with my colleagues in the management team, my role will be to ensure that the foundations of the club remain stable as we embrace changes that can strengthen us in the long term on and off the pitch, and the search for a to support.” new permanent CEO.”
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Jean-Claude Blanc, the former Juventus chief executive who left a senior position at Paris Saint-Germain last December to oversee the entire INEOS Sports portfolio, is being considered as Arnold’s permanent replacement.
Arnold has been with United since 2007 and rose to become chief executive following Woodward’s departure as deputy chief executive.
Arnold was the public face of the decision to ultimately decide against Mason Greenwood returning to the first team this summer, but only after The Athletic reported that he had told the club’s management team that the decision had been made to bring him back at the beginning of August.
After a backlash from politicians, charities and fans, the club reversed its decision before Greenwood moved to Spanish club Getafe on the final day of the summer transfer window.
Arnold, who holds Class A shares in the club, had played an important role in the club’s commercial growth and attempts to strengthen lines of communication with fans.
But the 52-year-old was among those who pushed back against an earlier Ratcliffe proposal that would have rewarded only Class B shareholders – shares held exclusively by the Glazers – and an earlier disagreement on the board led to tensions between the To store.
Arnold will leave United after 16 years at the club (Photo: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Making the announcement, Arnold said: “It has been an incredible privilege to serve this great football club over the last 16 years. The commitment of our employees and fans was the constant through all the ups and downs.
“I would like to thank them all for their loyalty and commitment and wish everyone associated with the club all the best for the future.”
Deputy chief executive Joel Glazer said: “I would like to thank Richard for his outstanding service to Manchester United over the last 16 years and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
“We are fortunate to be able to draw on Patrick Stewart’s extensive knowledge and experience to provide interim stability and continuity as we embark on the search for a new permanent CEO.”
After ratifying his minority stake, Ratcliffe is expected to make further changes.
Sir David Brailsford, former performance director at British Cycling, will take on a key role and he and Ratcliffe are also considering options for the sporting director appointment.
Director of Football John Murtough currently has primary responsibility for the football department and oversaw the appointment of manager Erik ten Hag.
The Athletic reported last month that Ten Hag’s position was not in immediate jeopardy despite United making their worst start to a season in 61 years. United have since claimed narrow Premier League victories against Fulham and Luton, but suffered a 4-3 defeat against Copenhagen that puts their Champions League campaign in jeopardy.
Confirmation of Ratcliffe’s purchase of a minority stake would complete a lengthy process after the Glazer family put the club up for sale last November.
It had been a duel between Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim before the Qatari group announced in early October that it was withdrawing from the race.
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(Photo: Charlotte Tattersall – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)