Located on the second floor of the Ineos office in west London, there are lasting traces of Manchester United’s triumphant era. One can observe it in the No 7 jersey of Eric Cantona, with its collar flipped up, displayed in the primary conference room. The pristine programs from the iconic European championship evenings also serve as a reminder. However, it is Jim Ratcliffe’s determined gaze that truly captures the essence of his commitment to reviving the club’s confidence and identity, after being a loyal supporter for 65 years.
“The Manchester United style of play is attacking football, exciting football, bringing the youth through,” he says, speaking publicly for the first time since acquiring a 27% stake in the club. “You want players that are committed. You want players that play 90 minutes or whatever the number is. At the end of the day we are in the entertainment business. You don’t want to watch bland or characterless football.”
The 71-year-old billionaire, now in charge of football operations at Old Trafford, looks over at the Cantona jersey. He mentions the allure that Manchester United has always had, but feels it has dwindled in recent years. He fondly remembers legends like George Best, Bobby Charlton, and Eric Cantona, who he believes played a crucial role in Sir Alex Ferguson’s successful era, which ultimately set off a chain of success for the team.
Shortly after, Ratcliffe discusses his desire to overthrow Manchester City and Liverpool’s dominant position, echoing the words of Ferguson. He also expresses gratitude towards the supporters, referring to them as the guardians of the club. However, it is evident that he aims to do more than just please the fans, as he also wants to guide them towards reclaiming their former glory.
According to Ratcliffe, the first step is establishing an effective organizational structure. This should be followed by selecting individuals who excel in important positions – those who are top performers, rated 10 out of 10. Recruitment should also prioritize finding these exceptional individuals. Lastly, fostering a competitive yet supportive atmosphere where employees are motivated to take risks.
According to Ratcliffe, many organizations have a “shoot first, ask questions later” mentality, causing employees to fear taking risks. However, at Ineos, making mistakes is not a problem as long as they are not repeated.
I am happy that we made our mistakes in football prior to joining Manchester United, as it would have made our job much more challenging if we had not. This is because the role is significant and comes with a lot of scrutiny.
“It may be challenging at times, but it is important to balance it with a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. These two elements complement each other well,” he explains. “They have likely not had this type of environment in the past 10 years. If we can successfully achieve these three components, then we can have confidence that positive outcomes will ensue.”
Ratcliffe’s second message is that success will not come immediately. This is especially true for a club like theirs, as they have not won the Premier League in 11 years and have fallen behind their competitors. He emphasizes that success cannot be achieved like flipping a switch and compares it to Pep’s experience at Man City, where it took time to build a successful team.
Ratcliffe would not be drawn on player signings. But, intriguingly, he says that everything will follow on from the style of football the club want to play – something that has yet to be decided. “But we are not going to oscillate from Mourinho style to Guardiola style. Otherwise you’re changing everything all the time – you change your coach, you’ve got the wrong squad, the wrong trainer, we won’t do that. In modern football you need to decide what’s your path and stick to it.”
Ratcliffe’s willingness to engage with fans and the media could not be more different than that of the Glazers. However he insists that, behind the scenes, he has a good relationship with Joel and Avram Glazer. “They obviously are very comfortable with us running the sports side of the club. We’re obviously going to be on the ground, whereas the Glazer family are a fair way away. I don’t think we’re going to be taking the legal agreements out of the bottom drawer.”
Ratcliffe emphasizes that he is not a “football expert,” but it is evident that he has a thorough understanding of important matters such as financial fair play. Interestingly, he is also willing to address any challenging inquiries, whether it pertains to Mason Greenwood’s upcoming plans, which are still undecided, or his choice to hire Sir Dave Brailsford, the Ineos director of sport, for a significant position at Old Trafford.
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Brailsford gained significant recognition for his leadership in achieving remarkable success with British Cycling and Team Sky. However, he faced criticism from MPs for his involvement in the jiffy bag controversy. Despite this, Ratcliffe views Brailsford as one of the most intelligent individuals in the world of sports, whether it be in cycling or football.
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When questioned about jiffygate, Ratcliffe states, “I have no interest in the past. I am focused on the future. In my opinion, he is a highly capable individual and excels in his role.”
Ratcliffe refutes the idea that Clive Woodward’s unsuccessful tenure at Southampton serves as a warning. According to Ratcliffe, Dave is not comparable to Woodward and possesses unique abilities and admirable qualities.
When questioned about Ratcliffe’s choice to reside in Monaco and avoid taxes, he stands by his decision. He claims to have already paid his taxes in the UK and states that he moved to enjoy retirement in a sunny location. He sees no issue with his decision.
It is evident that Ratcliffe is a resilient individual, willing to adapt to challenges and get his hands dirty. However, he is also astute in utilizing his influence. When the topic of renovating Old Trafford, estimated at a billion pounds, or constructing a new £2bn stadium arises, he suggests the possibility of government assistance in funding the latter option.
Both the northern and southern populations contribute equally to taxes. However, the designated national stadiums for football, rugby, and tennis are all located in the southern region.
It is possible to consider a larger project in the northern region that would be suitable for England and serve as the venue for the Champions League final. It could also serve as a catalyst for revitalizing southern Manchester.
Prior to his departure, Ratcliffe has a final statement for fans of United. “My perspective on a football club is quite straightforward,” he states. “It is a valuable part of the community. The fans are the owners of the club, that is its purpose: for the fans. We are simply temporary caretakers or overseers.”
The outcome of the public relations battle is evident. However, Ratcliffe is aware that achieving victory on the field will pose a completely different obstacle.
Source: theguardian.com
