sportbible
The minority acquisition of Manchester United by SIR JIM RATCLIFFE was disclosed on Christmas Eve 2023 – and since then, Old Trafford has witnessed a flurry of developments…
December 2023 – Manchester United announces Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, committing to a £245m investment in Old Trafford.
January 2024 – Ratcliffe and his associate Sir Dave Brailsford are seen conferring with Erik ten Hag during a trip to Carrington.
January 2024 – Omar Berrada is recruited from Manchester City to take on the role of new CEO.
February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s £1 billion acquisition, securing a 27.7 percent stake in the club, is officially completed.
February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold exits the board, with Ineos representatives John Rees and Rob Nevin stepping in.
March 2024 – Ratcliffe’s decree controversially bans terms like “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino.”
March 2024 – Matt Johnson is appointed as the head of women’s football.
March 2024 – Ratcliffe introduces a proposal for a “Wembley of the North” to replace Old Trafford.
March 2024 – By March 21, Manchester United’s NYSE share value tumbles to $13.73, down from $20.52 right after Ratcliffe’s takeover in December.
April 2024 – The club revokes credit cards and private car privileges for senior staff.
April 2024 – John Murtough resigns from his position as football director.
April 2024 – Jason Wilcox is appointed as technical director after an agreement is reached with Southampton.
May 2024 – Ratcliffe creates a tense atmosphere at Carrington when he sends an email to staff calling attention to the “disgraceful” state of cleanliness.
May 2024 – Repair work on Old Trafford’s leaking roof finally begins.
May 2024 – Manchester United finishes the Premier League season in eighth place, registering their poorest finish ever.
May 2024 – Ratcliffe gives staff only one week to consider redundancy options.
May 2024 – Employees are compelled to cover their own travel expenses for the FA Cup final and receive only a single ticket.
May 2024 – Pre-match hospitality and accommodations for senior staff attending the FA Cup final are canceled.
May 2024 – Manchester United unexpectedly clinches an FA Cup victory against rivals Man City, despite ongoing speculation about Erik ten Hag’s potential dismissal.
June 2024 – Manchester United launches a £50m initiative to upgrade the Carrington training facility.
June 2024 – Ratcliffe enforces a strict “back to work” policy mandating staff to physically return to the office.
June 2024 – Ratcliffe faces backlash due to remarks about the women’s team.
July 2024 – Manchester United finalizes a deal to appoint Dan Ashworth as the sporting director, costing £3m due to his lengthy gardening leave at Newcastle.
July 2024 – Erik ten Hag surprises many by signing a contract extension lasting until 2026.
July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake are appointed as assistant managers; Andreas Georgson becomes the first-team coach, and Jelle ten Rouwelaar takes on the role of goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher transitions from technical director to first-team coach, while Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag, and Benni McCarthy depart.
July 2024 – Former Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell temporarily joins as interim recruitment director.
July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc enters the Manchester United board.
July 2024 – The number of staff on the US pre-season tour is cut down to 125.
July 2024 – Ratcliffe initiates a round of 250 job redundancies, impacting well-liked figures such as media personnel John Allen, historian Cliff Butler, and kitman Alex Wylie.
August 2024 – Manchester United invests £199m in summer transfer activities.
August 2024 – Meal provisions for matchday staff are reduced, leading some to dine near restrooms.
October 2024 – Manchester United ends the £2m annual ambassadorial payment to Sir Alex Ferguson.
October 2024 – The staff Christmas party is canceled.
October 2024 – The expensive “back to work” policy incurs costs to convert hospitality suites into makeshift office spaces between home matches.
October 2024 – Erik ten Hag is terminated after the club lands in 14th place in the Premier League, resulting in a cost of £15m.
November 2024 – Ruben Amorim is appointed as the new Manchester United manager on a contract until 2027, following payment of a £10m release clause.
November 2024 – Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy is dismissed under new manager Ruben Amorim’s guidance.
November 2024 – Manchester United executives engage in a blame game regarding the tumultuous summer, particularly the Erik ten Hag situation and transfer missteps.
November 2024 – Reports indicate that Ratcliffe plans to cut the £40,000 budget for the Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association in half.
December 2024 – Ratcliffe declares that “mediocre” Manchester United is “still living in the last century.”
December 2024 – Protests erupt in response to the elimination of concession tickets for seniors and children, alongside a significant increase in home ticket prices to £66.
December 2024 – Dan Ashworth is let go after just five months in his role as sporting director.
December 2024 – A £100 Christmas bonus for staff is substituted with a £40 M&S voucher.
December 2024 – During Ruben Amorim’s press conference following a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth, the ceiling begins to leak.
December 2024 – Reports arise concerning a mouse infestation at Old Trafford, with droppings found in food kiosks and premium suites as hygiene ratings plummet to just two stars.
December 2024 – SunSport highlights a reduction in Ratcliffe’s previous £40,000 funding contribution to the charity supporting former Manchester United players.
