| Couple of interesting and relevant points on Ineos and Man U sporting structure 23:28 - May 26 with 2787 views | unstableblue |
Been watching some YouTube and reading some articles on the new Man United sporting structure now Ineos are officially running the sporting side of the organisation.
Firstly it’s a big organisation and multi-tiered hierarchy.
3 to 4 layers above Ten Hag or his successor to reach Ratcliffe himself.
Dan Ashworth is the preferred and planned sporting director. Formerly of Brighton, then poached by Newcastle, who joined them after taking gardening leave.
Omar Berrada is the new CEO and effectively secured Ashworth in Feb. BUT Berrada is himself on gardening leave till mid-July.
Now the Dan Ashworth move is in a real state. With Newcastle taking Man United to the court of arbitration. So this is significantly delayed.
They’ve also been looking to bring in a head of recruitment but have failed to get preferred man Paul Mitchell.
So some key takeaways - the INEOS hierarchy is complex and multi-tiered, as you’d expect at a club of this scale… but effectively you will have Brailsford advising Ratcliffe at the top on performance, then CEO Berrada, then Sporing Director Ashworth, perhaps with a number 2 running recruitment (those two decide on players), then the coach. This is significantly different to when Ole was manager and McKenna was his number two (that role is currently Steve Maclaren)
Secondly, the new hierarchy isn’t at Old Trafford yet. That’s why Brailsford and INEOS cycling cohorts have been running the review (which has been underway for some time, but is stated as just starting?!?! Confusing). Indeed if McKenna moved next week, his boss would not be in place, nor his boss’ boss (the CEO).
In reality this is the structure Man U have been missing for some time. But a lot of risk to it being in place and working anytime soon.
|  |
| |  |
| Couple of interesting and relevant points on Ineos and Man U sporting structure on 08:01 - May 27 with 2433 views | Churchman |
Thanks for posting this. Very interesting. It took me three goes to get my head around it which tells me it is unnecessarily complex. Plenty of vested interests I suppose.
How is Brailsford and his dodgy mob qualified to review anything beyond cycling? Friend of Ratcliff? Does the manager have any say in transfers or is he just the mug with the cones, bibs and team sheet who gets the boot if the inter-galactic cup isn’t won?
If you look at ITFCs structure and accountabilities, it is clear and easy to understand both internally and externally. And the balance looks right. Ok MU are a huge club, but it does the same thing so why should the basic structure not be the same only bigger? An engine works the same way on an A380 as it does a 737.
Interesting that even Newcastle are pillaged if MU wish. It all looks messy and unworkable to me, especially for the new manager. I’d imagine any assurances they get, given there isn’t a CEO, aren’t worth a light.
I’d be interested to know how other big clubs operate. |  | | |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 09:06 - May 27 with 2322 views | unstableblue |
| Couple of interesting and relevant points on Ineos and Man U sporting structure on 08:01 - May 27 by Churchman |
Thanks for posting this. Very interesting. It took me three goes to get my head around it which tells me it is unnecessarily complex. Plenty of vested interests I suppose.
How is Brailsford and his dodgy mob qualified to review anything beyond cycling? Friend of Ratcliff? Does the manager have any say in transfers or is he just the mug with the cones, bibs and team sheet who gets the boot if the inter-galactic cup isn’t won?
If you look at ITFCs structure and accountabilities, it is clear and easy to understand both internally and externally. And the balance looks right. Ok MU are a huge club, but it does the same thing so why should the basic structure not be the same only bigger? An engine works the same way on an A380 as it does a 737.
Interesting that even Newcastle are pillaged if MU wish. It all looks messy and unworkable to me, especially for the new manager. I’d imagine any assurances they get, given there isn’t a CEO, aren’t worth a light.
I’d be interested to know how other big clubs operate. |
Churchman - I don’t think a hierarchy of this scale is uncommon in a club of this size
To help understand see below hierarchy which I’ve edited from a video and some articles
Man U football structure
Sir Jim Ratcliffe (Chairman INEOS)
Sir Dave Brailsford (Performance Director INEOS sport) — Jean Claude Blanc (CEO INEOS Sport)
Omar Berrada (CEO Man Utd) joining mid July
Dan Ashworth (Sporting Director) - no start date —— Jason Wilcox (Technical Director)* — new recruitment director (TBC)
Erik Ten Hag (Head Coach)
Steve McLaren (Assistant Coach)
There you go…. Simple
(*Note - Jason Wilcox joined from Southampton in April, his perceived role: “INEOS want Ashworth to head up their footballing department and report to Berrada with a team to be assembled around their sporting director Ashworth. Wilcox is being identified for wide ranging role in support of Ashworth, while further appointments are expected.”
Where I think it get complicated is the spans of control between the levels, and critically who manages the data/analyst, medical, scouting and academy teams - which are huge
I also don’t think given that key individuals are on gardening leave or still to be confirmed that they can make a decision quickly… unless the INEOS team drive but they have stated ‘they are not football experts’ apart from Blanc who was Juventus CEO, but Berrada surely has to be in the room as the main man.
I understand organisational change management… and boy that is a lot of change to embed in effectively 1-2 months. All relationships and reporting lines have to click very quickly.
Having said all that - this is the structure Man U fans have been craving… their old group was relatively flat and had no football pedigree. And in Blanc, Berrada and Ashworth you’re getting real potential to excel - IF THEY GEL. But as I understand as Berrada is football operations only the Venn diagram between Blanc, Berrada, Ashworth, and Head Coach may become the issue… span of control confusion and friction. [Post edited 27 May 2024 9:38]
| |
| |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 09:19 - May 27 with 2260 views | Mookamoo |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 09:06 - May 27 by unstableblue |
Churchman - I don’t think a hierarchy of this scale is uncommon in a club of this size
To help understand see below hierarchy which I’ve edited from a video and some articles
Man U football structure
Sir Jim Ratcliffe (Chairman INEOS)
Sir Dave Brailsford (Performance Director INEOS sport) — Jean Claude Blanc (CEO INEOS Sport)
Omar Berrada (CEO Man Utd) joining mid July
Dan Ashworth (Sporting Director) - no start date —— Jason Wilcox (Technical Director)* — new recruitment director (TBC)
Erik Ten Hag (Head Coach)
Steve McLaren (Assistant Coach)
There you go…. Simple
(*Note - Jason Wilcox joined from Southampton in April, his perceived role: “INEOS want Ashworth to head up their footballing department and report to Berrada with a team to be assembled around their sporting director Ashworth. Wilcox is being identified for wide ranging role in support of Ashworth, while further appointments are expected.”
Where I think it get complicated is the spans of control between the levels, and critically who manages the data/analyst, medical, scouting and academy teams - which are huge
I also don’t think given that key individuals are on gardening leave or still to be confirmed that they can make a decision quickly… unless the INEOS team drive but they have stated ‘they are not football experts’ apart from Blanc who was Juventus CEO, but Berrada surely has to be in the room as the main man.
I understand organisational change management… and boy that is a lot of change to embed in effectively 1-2 months. All relationships and reporting lines have to click very quickly.
Having said all that - this is the structure Man U fans have been craving… their old group was relatively flat and had no football pedigree. And in Blanc, Berrada and Ashworth you’re getting real potential to excel - IF THEY GEL. But as I understand as Berrada is football operations only the Venn diagram between Blanc, Berrada, Ashworth, and Head Coach may become the issue… span of control confusion and friction. [Post edited 27 May 2024 9:38]
|
We can only hope the result of this MU review is they recommend they stop making knee jerk reactions and give ten Hag the last year of his contract. No compensation and a clean break.
We might just get McKenna for one more year |  | | |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 09:26 - May 27 with 2219 views | Hugoagogo_Reborn |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 09:19 - May 27 by Mookamoo |
We can only hope the result of this MU review is they recommend they stop making knee jerk reactions and give ten Hag the last year of his contract. No compensation and a clean break.
We might just get McKenna for one more year |
This is what I'm hoping, too.
It looks like Man U need more time to get their house in order, and ten Hag would be useful as a constant figurehead whilst the board gets restructured.
It seems like a really poor time to join as a new manager, who clearly is not exciting the fan base, and has had issues with commanding respect from some of the senior players when he coached there. You'd be going into that setup as a sitting target. [Post edited 27 May 2024 9:26]
|  | | |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 09:26 - May 27 with 2215 views | garygboltonblue |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 09:06 - May 27 by unstableblue |
Churchman - I don’t think a hierarchy of this scale is uncommon in a club of this size
To help understand see below hierarchy which I’ve edited from a video and some articles
Man U football structure
Sir Jim Ratcliffe (Chairman INEOS)
Sir Dave Brailsford (Performance Director INEOS sport) — Jean Claude Blanc (CEO INEOS Sport)
Omar Berrada (CEO Man Utd) joining mid July
Dan Ashworth (Sporting Director) - no start date —— Jason Wilcox (Technical Director)* — new recruitment director (TBC)
Erik Ten Hag (Head Coach)
Steve McLaren (Assistant Coach)
There you go…. Simple
(*Note - Jason Wilcox joined from Southampton in April, his perceived role: “INEOS want Ashworth to head up their footballing department and report to Berrada with a team to be assembled around their sporting director Ashworth. Wilcox is being identified for wide ranging role in support of Ashworth, while further appointments are expected.”
Where I think it get complicated is the spans of control between the levels, and critically who manages the data/analyst, medical, scouting and academy teams - which are huge
I also don’t think given that key individuals are on gardening leave or still to be confirmed that they can make a decision quickly… unless the INEOS team drive but they have stated ‘they are not football experts’ apart from Blanc who was Juventus CEO, but Berrada surely has to be in the room as the main man.
I understand organisational change management… and boy that is a lot of change to embed in effectively 1-2 months. All relationships and reporting lines have to click very quickly.
Having said all that - this is the structure Man U fans have been craving… their old group was relatively flat and had no football pedigree. And in Blanc, Berrada and Ashworth you’re getting real potential to excel - IF THEY GEL. But as I understand as Berrada is football operations only the Venn diagram between Blanc, Berrada, Ashworth, and Head Coach may become the issue… span of control confusion and friction. [Post edited 27 May 2024 9:38]
|
I believe they have appointed Jason Wilcox from Southampton , where does he fit in? |  | | |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 09:41 - May 27 with 2106 views | Mookamoo |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 09:26 - May 27 by garygboltonblue |
I believe they have appointed Jason Wilcox from Southampton , where does he fit in? |
Thought he was brought in to he a Technical Director, which unless I'm mistaken is also involved in recruitment.
Perhaps he will just be responsible for the playing staff and identifying targets | | | |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 09:42 - May 27 with 2088 views | unstableblue |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 09:26 - May 27 by garygboltonblue |
I believe they have appointed Jason Wilcox from Southampton , where does he fit in? |
Sorry Gary… I’d forgotten to include him. Wilcox is in the building. And I’ve updated my post above to show where he sits in the org and a quote on where he sits.
I think around Ashworth Barrada will build a significant team - as this layer does connect to academy, scouts, data, medical analysts.
Of note I read Ashworth has not assumed the span of control at Newcastle he had hoped as the existing footballing set-up was functioning. So he’ll be keen to strip it right back and start afresh.
A squad cull is also planned on a significant scale. It’s a long term project.
So lots red flags for McKenna but also opportunity. | |
| |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 09:45 - May 27 with 2063 views | unstableblue |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 09:41 - May 27 by Mookamoo |
Thought he was brought in to he a Technical Director, which unless I'm mistaken is also involved in recruitment.
Perhaps he will just be responsible for the playing staff and identifying targets |
See update to note. Planned to report to Ashworth. But a head of recruitment also in the frame.
Again I’m just taking from a number of Atheltic, Manchester Evening News, NY Times and YouTube articles. So don’t quote me!
But I think the summary is this is a MASSIVE change project, with the opportunities and risks that brings. I have read a lot about the scale of squad full also planned. | |
| |
Login to get fewer ads
| There is a STRONG likelihood McKenna moves to Old Trafford in 1-2 seasons on 09:52 - May 27 with 2030 views | unstableblue |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 09:19 - May 27 by Mookamoo |
We can only hope the result of this MU review is they recommend they stop making knee jerk reactions and give ten Hag the last year of his contract. No compensation and a clean break.
We might just get McKenna for one more year |
Keep ETH or bring Tuchel in for his preferred 2 season blast. Whilst the club makes this significant transition off pitch and in the squad composition, which may see them go backwards, and without damaging McKennas reputation with the United fan base.
Keiran gets to hone his Premiership skills in a friendly environment.
It’s a head coach role, which is more interchangeable than in other set-ups.
What is 100% sure is that at Man U going forward the head coach will have input to recruitment, but the centre of gravity for long term squad composition and playing style direction sits at the level above. | |
| |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 09:54 - May 27 with 2017 views | unstableblue |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 09:26 - May 27 by Hugoagogo_Reborn |
This is what I'm hoping, too.
It looks like Man U need more time to get their house in order, and ten Hag would be useful as a constant figurehead whilst the board gets restructured.
It seems like a really poor time to join as a new manager, who clearly is not exciting the fan base, and has had issues with commanding respect from some of the senior players when he coached there. You'd be going into that setup as a sitting target. [Post edited 27 May 2024 9:26]
|
Yes agree. Just posted a similar point of view.
It will take 12 months to just get the reporting lines are in that structure, iron out the conflicts and creases. | |
| |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 10:04 - May 27 with 1973 views | Plums |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 09:45 - May 27 by unstableblue |
See update to note. Planned to report to Ashworth. But a head of recruitment also in the frame.
Again I’m just taking from a number of Atheltic, Manchester Evening News, NY Times and YouTube articles. So don’t quote me!
But I think the summary is this is a MASSIVE change project, with the opportunities and risks that brings. I have read a lot about the scale of squad full also planned. |
Thanks for posting this. The structure looks pretty clear to me although as you say, it's a major change.
There appear to be some posts at INEOS group level and others at the MUFC operating level which is pretty normal. I imagine Brailsford is involved so heavily atm because the others aren't yet in post. The reports of him and Ratcliffe being disgusted by the level of tardiness around the training ground and back office suggest that they're simply trying to raise standards rather than influence football policy.
Whatever happens, it's clearly causing ripples across a number of clubs and will take time to bed in at Old Trafford. Let's hope Kieran doesn't really fancy going back to be a 'BBC' guy. |  |
| |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 10:04 - May 27 with 1970 views | Churchman |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 09:06 - May 27 by unstableblue |
Churchman - I don’t think a hierarchy of this scale is uncommon in a club of this size
To help understand see below hierarchy which I’ve edited from a video and some articles
Man U football structure
Sir Jim Ratcliffe (Chairman INEOS)
Sir Dave Brailsford (Performance Director INEOS sport) — Jean Claude Blanc (CEO INEOS Sport)
Omar Berrada (CEO Man Utd) joining mid July
Dan Ashworth (Sporting Director) - no start date —— Jason Wilcox (Technical Director)* — new recruitment director (TBC)
Erik Ten Hag (Head Coach)
Steve McLaren (Assistant Coach)
There you go…. Simple
(*Note - Jason Wilcox joined from Southampton in April, his perceived role: “INEOS want Ashworth to head up their footballing department and report to Berrada with a team to be assembled around their sporting director Ashworth. Wilcox is being identified for wide ranging role in support of Ashworth, while further appointments are expected.”
Where I think it get complicated is the spans of control between the levels, and critically who manages the data/analyst, medical, scouting and academy teams - which are huge
I also don’t think given that key individuals are on gardening leave or still to be confirmed that they can make a decision quickly… unless the INEOS team drive but they have stated ‘they are not football experts’ apart from Blanc who was Juventus CEO, but Berrada surely has to be in the room as the main man.
I understand organisational change management… and boy that is a lot of change to embed in effectively 1-2 months. All relationships and reporting lines have to click very quickly.
Having said all that - this is the structure Man U fans have been craving… their old group was relatively flat and had no football pedigree. And in Blanc, Berrada and Ashworth you’re getting real potential to excel - IF THEY GEL. But as I understand as Berrada is football operations only the Venn diagram between Blanc, Berrada, Ashworth, and Head Coach may become the issue… span of control confusion and friction. [Post edited 27 May 2024 9:38]
|
But in terms of who is answerable to who, that looks a dogs dinner to me more akin to how Nazi Germany was structured (inefficient conflict and chaos) than anything sensible.
Say Ten Hag has a problem. Depending on severity I presume in that he goes to the Sporting Director who has to go to CEO who goes to the cycling bloke who may have to go to Ratcliffe who may have to go to the Board? Who boots the manager out? One of them? All of them? Club cat?
ITFCs organisational structure isn’t hugely different to small companies, large and indeed government departments I’ve worked for. A simple pyramid framework with clear lines of accountability. You can have as many sub departments as you like with that - the principle remains clear regardless of how many people are employed.
Apologies, I am being lazy here. I need to look it up and understand it better. | | | |
| Couple of interesting and relevant points on Ineos and Man U sporting structure on 10:12 - May 27 with 1933 views | LegendofthePhoenix |
| Couple of interesting and relevant points on Ineos and Man U sporting structure on 08:01 - May 27 by Churchman |
Thanks for posting this. Very interesting. It took me three goes to get my head around it which tells me it is unnecessarily complex. Plenty of vested interests I suppose.
How is Brailsford and his dodgy mob qualified to review anything beyond cycling? Friend of Ratcliff? Does the manager have any say in transfers or is he just the mug with the cones, bibs and team sheet who gets the boot if the inter-galactic cup isn’t won?
If you look at ITFCs structure and accountabilities, it is clear and easy to understand both internally and externally. And the balance looks right. Ok MU are a huge club, but it does the same thing so why should the basic structure not be the same only bigger? An engine works the same way on an A380 as it does a 737.
Interesting that even Newcastle are pillaged if MU wish. It all looks messy and unworkable to me, especially for the new manager. I’d imagine any assurances they get, given there isn’t a CEO, aren’t worth a light.
I’d be interested to know how other big clubs operate. |
And therein is a big part of the problem that these huge clubs have. Too many big wigs with fingers in the pie. When you look at some of the signings, the recruitment teams are either scooping up "star" players from elsewhere or even selecting players who come with a following in a particular region / sponsorship, and then expecting the manager (coach) to somehow make them all play together in a team. As well as talented youngsters scooped up from across the country, paid too much too young, and unable to cope with the pressures.
Compare that to ITFC - where Ashton says when he met McKenna they spoke about values and character. Many of the troublesome players at huge clubs would never have even been on the shortlist at ITFC. I can only guess that McKenna thought he could give a helping hand to BW as much as BW could to us.
Our player recruitment clearly has a huge input from the manager, Ashton gets the deals done after the manager has identified targets, and that character is a huge part of who we bring in. No stars. A team, who work for the team, for each other, for the shirt, for the fans. Understanding that they may be on the bench, or maybe not even in the matchday squad. We've seen over the past 2 seasons what that does, and how powerful it is.
McKenna would not be able to do that at Man Utd because of the structure and lack of control of players brought in.
If he stays, he will get the opportunity to work with that model at ITFC in the Premier League and prove that he can do it at the top level. Going to Utd now, if he fails, leaves a big question mark about him. Many other have failed, so its a huge risk. He really should be very wary about jumping ship now, and instead use this year to show that he can manage at the top level before taking on a basket case club like Utd. |  |
| |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 10:31 - May 27 with 1849 views | unstableblue |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 10:04 - May 27 by Plums |
Thanks for posting this. The structure looks pretty clear to me although as you say, it's a major change.
There appear to be some posts at INEOS group level and others at the MUFC operating level which is pretty normal. I imagine Brailsford is involved so heavily atm because the others aren't yet in post. The reports of him and Ratcliffe being disgusted by the level of tardiness around the training ground and back office suggest that they're simply trying to raise standards rather than influence football policy.
Whatever happens, it's clearly causing ripples across a number of clubs and will take time to bed in at Old Trafford. Let's hope Kieran doesn't really fancy going back to be a 'BBC' guy. |
Agree structure looks sensible. Apart from the risks on span of control I mentioned.
Also the Ineos people move more into an oversight and governance role, once Berrada and Ashworth are in place.
Whilst there’s been that vacuum the Ineos have been doing the reviews and realising the mess Old Trafford was in. So as stated the review has been ongoing, so saying it starts next week to the media around Club and ETH has confused. As ETH stated he thought it was complete. | |
| |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 10:43 - May 27 with 1790 views | Churchman |
| Man U sporting structure planned on 10:31 - May 27 by unstableblue |
Agree structure looks sensible. Apart from the risks on span of control I mentioned.
Also the Ineos people move more into an oversight and governance role, once Berrada and Ashworth are in place.
Whilst there’s been that vacuum the Ineos have been doing the reviews and realising the mess Old Trafford was in. So as stated the review has been ongoing, so saying it starts next week to the media around Club and ETH has confused. As ETH stated he thought it was complete. |
Any new group or person coming in will inevitably declare what they see as a mess. Just as all incoming governments do. Maybe MU was a mess, but who the heck is Brailsford to judge? He might know what elite performance looks like for cyclists, along with knowing where Boots the Chemist is, but does that really translate to a team sport like football?
Personally, I’d be looking at people who have experience of other big football clubs or maybe NFL if you have to look at other sport. Now find out how Kansas City Chiefs are structured operate and I can see the benefits. But not some bike bloke with an ego the size of Mars. No, not met the guy - a totally subjective view based on seeing him pass by when the Tour de France pedalled through London. [Post edited 27 May 2024 10:44]
| | | |
| Couple of interesting and relevant points on Ineos and Man U sporting structure on 10:46 - May 27 with 1762 views | ElephantintheRoom |
You’re missing the key ingredient in all this - greed and opportunity. None of the slippery individuals involved care one jot about Man U nor ‘the project’ - they are simply taking the large saddlebag full of money on offer from Sir Brexiteer of Monaco who wont be around much himself because he’s a non-dom.
IF they really are thinking seriously about appointing a bloke who couldnt outperform Plymouth in Division 3 and was ridiculed by players still at the club, then he too is blinded by the immense amounts of money being thrown about like confetti.
As a pointer to the transformative power of ‘the process’ introduced by these egotistical clowns see how its worked out at Nice. They’ve got worse….. and they made a trendy managerial appointment of no known provenance in Vierra when they took over. | |
| |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
