Speculation is rife as Manchester United’s incoming minority shareholder, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, considers the appointment of a sporting director for the club. It is believed that Ratcliffe may seek the advice of legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson in making this significant decision. This development could potentially bode well for Crystal Palace’s sporting director, Dougie Freedman, who is reportedly a frontrunner for the role following the impending departure of John Murtough.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the British billionaire behind petrochemicals giant INEOS, is set to take over the sporting arm of Manchester United and oversee a major transformation of the club. One of his first tasks will be to select a replacement for Murtough as the head of the sporting department.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Ratcliffe will seek the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson in shaping this decision. Ferguson’s opinion carries immense weight due to his illustrious tenure as United’s manager. It is believed that Ferguson is particularly impressed with Freedman’s work as the sporting director of Crystal Palace over the past six years, catching the attention of top Premier League clubs.
Nevertheless, Freedman is only one of the names being considered by Ratcliffe. The list also includes Lee Congerton from Atalanta, Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara, former AC Milan personnel, as well as Andrea Berta from Atletico Madrid. The final decision rests on Ratcliffe’s shoulders as he deliberates with Ferguson’s counsel. United fans eagerly await the outcome, as the appointment of a new sporting director will undoubtedly shape the future direction of the iconic club.
