Latest news with #Project150
New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Sir Dave Brailsford to step back from Manchester United, Jason Wilcox named director of football
Sir Dave Brailsford is relinquishing his day-to-day role at Manchester United and returning to act as director of sport for INEOS, in a major recalibration of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Old Trafford executive. The move coincides with Jason Wilcox being named United's director of football, a position of increased seniority from the technical director title he initially arrived with in April 2024. Advertisement Brailsford, 61, has been a significant figure at United since Ratcliffe's stake was confirmed on Christmas Eve 2023, watching Aston Villa's Boxing Day visit to Old Trafford from the directors' box and continuing to attend games regularly. He was appointed to United's football club board upon completion of the deal, alongside former manager Sir Alex Ferguson and ex-chief executive David Gill. He had been a consistent presence throughout the due diligence stage of the investment process and was prominent at Carrington once Ratcliffe had the keys to the club, basing himself in Manchester. Brailsford was across the training ground refurbishment, involved in the decisions on Erik ten Hag, and had input on key appointments including Omar Berrada as chief executive and Ruben Amorim as head coach, as well as performance staff. Brailsford led United's 'Mission 21' drive targeting a 21st league title and 'Mission 1' to win first Women's Super League, part of 'Project 150' programme to mark 150th anniversary in 2028. He became less visible in recent weeks, although that can partly be attributed to him becoming a father last year and spending more time in Monaco. Brailsford was seen at the Europa League final in Bilbao, however. Now, with a new executive team led by Berrada in place, and Wilcox assuming greater authority for United's sporting department by being promoted to director of football, Brailsford is stepping back to give them space. He retains his place on the board and will still be on hand to advise on strategic performance matters. Assembling a revamped structure at United was his remit on joining, and this has now happened. Brailsford is expected to increase his support to INEOS Grenadiers, the cycling team he was team principal of until January 2024, shortly after Ratcliffe agreed to purchase a minority stake in United, as they aim to return to Tour de France winning level, with the arrival of a new partner quest. Advertisement Ratcliffe wants Brailsford to help guide Geraint Thomas, who is set to be appointed to a senior management position at INEOS Grenadiers once he retires as a rider at the end of this season. Brailsford can also revert back to Nice, where he was once influential, given United's failure to qualify for Europe means the French club is free from the blind trust it was placed by UEFA to comply with ownership rules. Brailsford is one of several INEOS figures to have joined United, including chief financial officer Roger Bell, directors John Reece and Rob Nevin, and project managers Gary Hemingway and Josh Thompson. Brailsford has been a big part of United under Ratcliffe, pictured attending Carrington alongside the British billionaire in January 2024 to meet players and staff, then being at the forefront of the undulations over Ten Hag's position at the end of that campaign. Brailsford attended pre-season in Los Angeles last summer, and was seen chatting pitchside to Ten Hag, Wilcox, and then-sporting director Dan Ashworth. Much has changed at United in those 11 months since, with Ten Hag relieved of his duties in October following an executive committee meeting where Brailsford left in the same car as Ratcliffe. Ashworth went in December, and now Brailsford is reducing his day-to-day involvement. Doing so once a new football structure had been assembled was part of the plan, with Brailsford's background coming in elite sporting performance, predominantly cycling, rather than football, which he confessed he was not an expert in. United's results this season have been the worst in Premier League history, with Amorim admitting to a 'disaster' campaign that was even denied salvation by Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. Berrada and Wilcox are now undoubtedly the key people in charge of the football operations at the club. ()
Daily Mirror
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Jim Ratcliffe's nine-word remark that led to new plan to ditch Man Utd project
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Project 150 plans always seemed like an uphill battle, especially given his own stance on Man Utd's FA Cup win last season where he said the Red Devils were underdogs going in Sir Jim Ratcliffe's reflections after Manchester United's FA Cup triumph last year hinted a lack of faith in his much-talked-about Project 150. Despite going in as underdogs against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, the Red Devils pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory, courtesy of goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo which overshadowed Jeremy Doku's goal. The win came as a shock to supporters up and down the country and marked the team's sole piece of silverware for the season. Ratcliffe, who holds a minority stake in United, didn't shy away from acknowledging his team's outsider status but heaped praise on their Wembley performance after the match. " Manchester United were clearly not the favourites to win today," he previously said. He added: "But they played with total commitment and skill and overcame one of the great teams in football. We are all very proud of the players and the staff who work tirelessly to support them." However, comments about not being favourites highlighted just how much of an uphill battle Project 150 – which aims to see United win the Premier League by 2028 in line with its 150th anniversary – would be. The club's recent performances, including a record-low eighth-place finish in the 2023/24 season and a dreadful 2024/25 campaign in the Premier League, have highlighted the significant challenges they face in closing the gap with their rivals. Despite the arrival of head coach Ruben Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag in November, the team continues to languish near the bottom of the table, on track for their worst-ever Premier League finish. And while Amorim has shown glimpses of promise, such as dragging the team to the Europa League final where they face fellow Premier League strugglers Tottenham, it is clear that he needs time to adapt and shape the squad to his playing style. A source close to the club reportedly acknowledged the difficulties they face in March, telling Mirror Football: "Amorim felt he could get more from the current squad when he came in and there have been some encouraging results. But there's no getting away from the fact that overall it's been a really tough watch - and that it's going to take a lot of time and patience to get the team to where they should be. "You've got to be brave or foolish to think winning the league by 2028 is doable from where United currently are." It has been 12 years since Sir Alex Ferguson departed Manchester United, and the club has struggled to replicate his success in the Premier League since then. The current state of the team suggests that it will be a long and challenging journey to return to the top of English football. Old Trafford has seen a parade of managers, including David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ten Hag and now Amorim, all attempting to reverse the club's fortunes. But instead, they've seemingly slipped further down the league table. Despite the struggles, the board remains committed to giving Amorim time to shape his squad at the Theatre of Dreams, reports the Manchester Evening News. However, this could take years as he seeks to offload underperforming players and mould a team that fits his style of play, potentially leading to the abandonment of Project 150. Another hurdle is the Premier League's PSR rules and regulations. In the January transfer window, United were only able to secure the services of Patrick Dorgu for £25million and promising Arsenal youngster Ayden Heaven, while Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia were sent out on loan. If United can arrange permanent moves for these players, and if Chelsea decide to splash out £20m for Jadon Sancho following his loan stint at Stamford Bridge, it could help ease the club's substantial debts. As of March, the club was reported to be in debt to the tune of £733m, with an additional £315m owed in outstanding transfer fees.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The FA Cup final won't answer the biggest question around Manchester United
The road to Wembley has taken opposing paths for Sonia Bompastor and Marc Skinner. For Bompastor, her debut season in England as head coach at Chelsea could not have gone any smoother on the domestic front, as the champions seek to complete an unbeaten treble. For Manchester United and Skinner, a return to the Women's FA Cup final for the holders is the latest step of a tumultuous journey for the manager in the dugout, but one that he continues to lead. There have been points where Skinner and United could have taken another turn. Last season, they reached the FA Cup final having dropped to fifth in the Women's Super League from runners-up the year before. But their 4-0 victory over Tottenham and the club's first major honour on a jubilant, sun-kissed day was a sign of progress, and Skinner signed a new contract extension. The critics, including any dissenting United fans, were silenced. A second contract extension was agreed within 12 months, this one a two-year deal with the option of a further year, confirmed by the club in early April. United have rebounded from last season's dip and will enter the Champions League qualification rounds after reclaiming their position in the WSL's top three. While Chelsea were the runaway leaders, United were solid and consistent for most of the year, with a strong defensive record. Another new contract for Skinner does not necessarily mean he has been backed, though. The question that will follow United – and which won't be answered in Sunday's Women's FA Cup final – is how committed the club is to closing the gap to champions Chelsea. United could rise to the occasion at Wembley, as they did against Chelsea in last season's FA Cup semi-finals, but it wouldn't necessarily demonstrate they are ready to compete with Bompastor's record-breaking side over 22 games. Winning the league, ultimately, is the target for Manchester United men's and women's teams in 2028 – under the umbrella of the club's Project 150. But are United really committed to success on the women's side? There will be a focus on whether Sir Jim Ratcliffe and senior figures in United's football department, including CEO Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox, will be at Wembley after their notable absence from United's historic Women's FA Cup success last May. 'I don't know who will be there,' Skinner said on Friday. 'But I have no doubt we'll be well represented.' Those little indicators go a long way in projecting a club's ambition. At Chelsea, more investment is coming, too, following the news that Alexis Ohanian, the Reddit co-founder and husband of Serena Williams, is putting in £20m for a reported 10 per cent stake. It values Chelsea's women's team at £200m, the figure it was sold for to a related company earlier this year in a move that raised eyebrows, given how convenient it appeared in helping Chelsea post a profit in their annual accounts. Inviting wider investment, though, allowed Ohanian to take a seat at the table. Both he and Williams will be at Wembley on Sunday – and that is a statement in itself. 'This investment is a game-changing endorsement for the women's game but also for young girls,' Bompastor said. It's not just about winning more titles. Ohanian said his investment was about 'finally matching talent with the resources, visibility, and respect they [Chelsea Women] deserve'. For Bompastor, who is hoping to meet Ohanian and introduce her children to Williams after a positive result on Sunday, the club's 'unapologetic ambition', in the words of chief executive Aki Mandhar, is music to her ears. 'Respect is really important,' she said. 'Credit to them, I echo what Sonia said,' Skinner added. 'It's great. They want to be the frontrunners in showing how you invest in the women's game. We've got to find a way to beat that and that's my job. 'I don't want people to give up because there's money there, so I've got to find solutions. Hopefully more people do that and when our club is at that stage I know we'll be looking to invest in the right ways and the right times. I have no doubt that will come. We have said that we are trying to do it sustainably.' Meanwhile, after one of the most impressive debut seasons even seen in English football, Bompastor has set her demands even higher next season. The 8-2 aggregate defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals has given Bompastor a reason to tell her team and the wider club that they still have a long way to go, even if they have completed an unbeaten 22-game WSL season and could win the treble at Wembley. Despite the unbeaten run domestically, the second half of Chelsea's season has been more challenging and Bompastor's side have relied on a series of late goals to get over the line. They have not been ruthless enough in certain games, while they have missed Lauren James and Mayra Ramirez in attack. James will play no part in the FA Cup final due to a hamstring injury, but Ramirez's availability is a big boost. There is also a score to settle on both sides. United have only beaten Chelsea once, with last year's FA Cup semi-final denying Hayes and her side a shot at the double, but United have built up a series of painful defeats to them, including a 6-0 at Old Trafford and in the 2023 FA Cup final, where Skinner's side were the better team but lost to Sam Kerr's only goal. That season, United finished just two points behind champions Chelsea in the WSL and an edgy rivalry was developing. But the points gap over the last two years has been 20 and 16, and it would take a big leap from United or a dramatic fall-off from Chelsea for them to be in the title hunt again next season. The FA Cup, though, comes down to one game, and a United side with a goalkeeper as good as Phallon Tullis-Joyce, a big-game player like Ella Toone and a goalscorer like Elisabeth Terland means they have to believe that anything is possible on the day. At the same time, it would change very little. Over a season and in the future, United would still have a lot to prove. The Women's FA Cup final, Chelsea vs Manchester United, is on Sunday 18 May at 1.30pm. TV coverage starts at 12.50pm on BBC One
The Independent
04-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Ruben Amorim is in a rush to get Manchester United challenging at the top again
Ruben Amorim says he is not 'crazy' enough to think Manchester United can lift the Premier League trophy next season but knows he needs to win quick as times have changed since the Sir Alex Ferguson era. The 20-time champions are enduring a miserable campaign, with the Red Devils languishing 13th ahead of Sunday's clash with rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford. Pep Guardiola's side have won the last four Premier League titles but slumped to fifth this term, albeit the fact they still have a 14-point cushion over United underlines the work required. United co-owners Ineos have outlined their ambition to win a 21st league crown by the club's 150th anniversary in 2028, but 'Project 150' look unrealistic right now. 'Of course I understand, I am not naive,' Amorim said. 'I don't want to think 'we need a lot of years to be competitive'. I cannot think like that, I cannot manage that. It's not in me and that's why I am putting pressure on myself. 'I know that we are not going to be the biggest contender in the next year or two years. I know we need to do a lot of things. 'It's not that next year is our goal. I am not saying that we are going to win the title next year. I am not crazy. 'What I am saying is I don't want this conversation to be that 'we need a lot of years', 'let's keep in calm'. We are in a rush. 'So, we are suffering a lot for next year to be so much better and that is our goal. 'Sometimes things can happen, so I don't want to be that guy that is here saying 'we need a lot of time'. I will not be that coach.' Amorim says United 'need a lot to catch' the Premier League's best and wants to 'bring one or two big players' to the club this summer. There have been flashes of promise since the Portuguese arrived in November, but he acknowledged times have changed since Ferguson took six-and-a-half years to win his first league title. 'I have a lot of people saying Sir Alex Ferguson took three or four years to win something,' he said, nodding to United's 1990 FA Cup triumph. 'It is not possible nowadays because you have to speak three times and give three interviews before each game, so the pressure is completely different. 'Then any team new in the Premier League can win, so it's going to be really important. 'But we are Manchester United, there are a lot of good things, there is some bad things. That is the pressure. No matter the context, we need to be there with the best ones. 'Of course we will have to face a lot of adversity and a lot of big teams, more than in the past, but let's focus on that and try to win the next game.' Amorim revealed Kobbie Mainoo could make his first appearance after two months out this weekend, but Matthijs de Ligt is a doubt to face City due to an issue picked up in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest. 'I think Kobbie is returning to training,' he said. 'We will see and assess for this game. Of course he cannot play a full game. It's a long time without training. 'I think Matthijs has an issue. He had something in the game and we have to assess.'
The Independent
04-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Ruben Amorim ‘in a rush' to restore Manchester United's glory days as he sets title timeline
Ruben Amorim declared that he is in a rush to bring back the glory days to Manchester United but said he would not be crazy enough to think they will win the title next season. United are 13th as they prepare for Sunday's Manchester derby but Amorim is adamant they will be much better next year as he insisted he is t rading short-term pain for some gain. Chief executive Omar Berrada launched 'Project 150', United's plan to try and win the Premier League title by their 150th anniversary in 2028, but while Amorim said he does not have a timetable, he will not ask for time and is putting pressure on himself to succeed soon. 'I am not naive, I don't want to think we need a lot of years to be competitive, I cannot think like that,' said the Portuguese. 'I cannot manage that, it is not in me. That is why I am putting pressure on myself. I know that we are not going to be the biggest contender in the next year or two years. I know. 'We are changing a lot of things, changing a lot of stuff inside the club. I know it is going to take time but I will not think like that and I will not say I need a lot of years. We are preparing something we have to change a lot next year. 'It is not that next year is our goal. I am not saying we are going to win the title next year, I am not crazy. What I am saying is that I don't want this conversation that we want a lot of years. No, we are in a rush. We are suffering a lot to be next year so much better and that is our goal and sometimes things can happen. I don't want to be that guy here saying we need a lot of time. 'If it will take four years like in the memo, I don't know. In my idea, I cannot manage this thing of 'in four years, I will try something'. I will start next season. We need to be so much better. This is a massive club. The pressure is that and I want to put that pressure on me and everybody here.' Sir Alex Ferguson won the first of his 13 league titles six-and-a-half years after his appointment and his first trophy in 1990, following his arrival in November 1986 but Amorim believes he will not get so much time. He believes the environment has changed since then, partly with the greater scrutiny and partly with the rise of clubs like Aston Villa and Newcastle, rivals for United even before they can pip clubs like Liverpool or Manchester City to the title. 'Not just Manchester City but other teams,' he added. 'The Premier League is so different, I have a lot of people saying Sir Alex Ferguson took three or four years to win something. It is not possible nowadays because you have to speak three times and give three interviews before every game so the pressure is completely different. We are Manchester United. No matter the context, we have to be there with the best ones. We will have to face a lot of adversity and a lot of big teams.'
