Sir Alex Ferguson expresses optimism regarding the impending 25% investment by Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Manchester United.
After prolonged negotiations with the Glazer family, Ratcliffe is on the verge of finalizing a £1.3 billion deal with the Red Devils, successfully surpassing a competing bid from Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.
An official announcement confirming the deal is anticipated as early as next week.
Recent reports suggest that Ratcliffe plans to establish a new football operations department at the club, leading to the departure of Richard Arnold from his role as chief executive by the end of the year.
This move hints at a potential overhaul of the club’s infrastructure, aiming to enhance competitiveness in both the Premier League and European competitions.
Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary former manager who retired in 2013, remains actively involved as a director at the club, attending all of United’s home games.
In an interview with Gambling Zone, he shared his thoughts on Ratcliffe’s forthcoming involvement, stating, “I am still a director of the club, and I know Jim well. We shall have to see what he does, but I am optimistic.”
As part of the restructuring, Ratcliffe is expected to appoint Jean-Claude Blanc as the club’s new chief executive once the formalities of the investment are concluded. Blanc brings a wealth of experience, having previously worked with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.
During his 11-year tenure at PSG, the club secured 28 trophies, solidifying its position as a dominant force in European football.
Blanc joined INEOS in 2022 as chief executive, overseeing a sporting portfolio that includes the Mercedes Formula 1 team and football clubs OGC Nice and Lausanne-Sport.