Just under two years after assuming the position as Chief Executive of Manchester United, Richard Arnold is set to depart following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group securing a 25% minority investment in the club. Ratcliffe is on the brink of finalizing the purchase, expected to come with control over sporting operations.
Arnold’s leadership has faced challenges, notably criticism for the handling of Mason Greenwood amid legal accusations, further complicated by a loan to Getafe. United initially intended to reintegrate Greenwood into the first team, prompting backlash and a subsequent reversal.
United officially announced Arnold’s decision to step down after his 16-year tenure, appointing Patrick Stewart as interim CEO alongside his existing role as General Counsel. Arnold will provide transitional support until December’s end, with a search for a permanent CEO underway.
Arnold expressed gratitude for the privilege of serving the club, acknowledging the dedication of employees and fans while wishing them the best. INEOS’s Ratcliffe is poised to bring in new leadership, likely finalizing permanent CEO and sporting director appointments by December.
Jean Claude Blanc from INEOS, with experience at Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, is a potential CEO candidate. Paul Mitchell, previously associated with Monaco and RB Leipzig, is in the running for the sporting director role.
Sir Dave Brailsford, a long-term colleague of Ratcliffe, is also expected to play a role in the club’s operations. These significant leadership changes mark a transformative phase for Manchester United, navigating new ownership and strategic shifts in their management structure.
