Richard Arnold will take over from good friend Ed Woodward at Man Utd, although taking on the title of CEO rather than Executive Vice-Chairman, next month
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Ed Woodward resigns as Manchester United executive vice-chairman
New Manchester United chief Richard Arnold has been warned he cannot afford to get the club’s next permanent managerial appointment wrong.
United confirmed Managing Director Arnold is taking over from Executive Vice-Chairman Ed Woodward, who will leave on February 1 after nearly nine years at the club.
Woodward is known to have regrets over his failure to appoint a manager capable of returning the Premier League trophy to United during his time in charge at Old Trafford.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, on the back of United’s last Premier League success, United have failed to mount any kind of title challenge under Woodward.
Woodward, who has worked closely with Arnold at United over the last 15 years, has told his friend and colleague he must get the next managerial appointment right – or risk the Red Devils sinking further into decline.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer became the fourth United manager sacked by Woodward when he was dismissed in November, replaced by interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
Rangnick is in charge until the end of this season, with PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino and Ajax coach Erik Ten Hag the favourites to land the United job on a permanent basis.
Woodward, 50, is leaving Old Trafford after tendering his resignation last April over the doomed European Super League project, of which United were major drivers.
Woodward felt he could not support a project with no relegation and had no option but to quit, but was persuaded to stay on at United for 10 months, until his successor was found.
Arnold will be less involved on the football side than his predecessor Ed Woodward.
Arnold, who attended Bristol University as did Woodward, wants to operate differently to his predecessor, who was “hands-on” with regard to football operations at United.
The 50-year-old Arnold will give more autonomy to Football Director John Murtough, Technical Director Darren Fletcher and interim boss Ralf Rangnick, who will begin a two-year consultancy role when his spell in charge finishes at the end of this season.
Within United, Arnold is seen as a consensus-builder, rather than an autocrat, and was a major driver in establishing the Football Director and Technical Director appointments last year, as well as offering interim boss Rangnick a consultancy role.
2013
Appointed executive vice-chairman after David Gill steps down, followed by Sir Alex Ferguson. First transfer window under David Moyes yielded only Marouane Fellaini.
2014
Sacks Moyes after 10 months, after United finished seventh, missing out on European football completely. Appoints Louis van Gaal.
2015
United finish fourth to qualify for the Champions League, but a woeful summer window sees Anthony Martial, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Matteo Darminan, Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay signed.
2016
Van Gaal leads United to FA Cup glory, their first trophy since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down, but is sacked the next day, replaced by Jose Mourinho.
2017
Mourinho leads United to League Cup and Europa League success, the latter qualifying for the Champions League, after finishing sixth in the Premier League.
2018
United finish second, 19 points behind Manchester City, which Mourinho considers one of his greatest achievements. But he does not get the players he wants in the summer and is sacked in December.
Woodward angers United fans when he says: “Playing performance doesn’t really have a meaningful impact on what we can do on the commercial side of the business.”
2019
Caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed the job on a permanent basis, but fails to launch a credible title bid or win a trophy.
Woodward caught on camera supposedly reprimanding Phil Jones, who appears to say “sacked in the morning” sat in the stands in front of him after Solskjaer’s United are beaten at West Ham.
2021
Woodward tenders resignation after United’s involvement in the doomed European Super League project, while his house is targeted by violent protesters.
Thousands of United fans, angry at the ESL proposal and the Glazers ownership model, storm Old Trafford, forcing the Premier League game against Liverpool to be called off.
Woodward sacks Solskjaer, the fourth United boss he has dismissed in eight years, replacing him with interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
2022
United confirm Woodward’s exit for February 1, replaced by United managing director Richard Arnold.
Under the new structure in place, football decisions will be led by Murtough, with help from Fletcher, working closely alongside Rangnick and a permanent boss, who will be appointed to take charge for next season.
Although Murtough and Fletcher will report to Arnold, he is said to want them and Rangnick to have the key say in identifying transfer targets, as well as United’s next permanent boss, with Mauricio Pochettino and Erik Ten Hag the leading candidates.
Arnold joined United in 2007 as Commercial Director, responsible for the management and growth of sponsorship, retail, merchandising, licensing and digital media
United believe Arnold’s commercial experience will continue to drive the club’s revenue streams that allows investment in the squad and improve facilities at the club.
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