(Football news) Richard Arnold is set to become the new Chief Executive at Manchester United from February 1st with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward stepping down from the role before leaving the club in April. Arnold has previously been serving Manchester United as a Managing Director and has been responsible for numerous commercial partnerships since he took on the role in 2013. Meanwhile, Ed Woodward will cease control of the day-to-day operations at the club but will continue to attend board meetings until the end of the season.
Arnold said: "I am honoured to have the chance to serve this great club and its fans. I am determined to return that honour in any way I can. Joel Glazer, executive co-chairman, said: "I would like to thank Ed for his tireless work on behalf of Manchester United during his nine years as executive vice-chairman and 16 years with the club. We are now looking forward to Richard and his leadership team opening a new phase in the club's evolution, with ambitious plans for investment in Old Trafford, the strengthening of our engagement with fans, and continued drive towards our most important objective – winning on the pitch."
Manchester United announced in April 2021 that Ed Woodward will be leaving the club. Woodward was integral to the Glazers taking over Manchester United in 2005 and was appointed to the club’s board of directors and executive vice-chairman in 2012 and subsequently took charge of operations after David Gill’s retirement. His tenure at Manchester United can only be described as a failure in terms of achievements on the pitch as the club has spent £1bn in transfer fees during that time but failed to win the Premier League in almost a decade. In comparison, with Sir Alex Ferguson as manager and David Gill as Chief of Operations, the club won five Premier League titles in seven years.
Following the announcement of Woodward’s resignation in April 2021, he said “I am extremely proud to have served United, and it has been an honour to work for the world's greatest football club. The club is well-positioned for the future, and it will be difficult to walk away. I will treasure the memories from my time at Old Trafford, during a period when we won the Europa League, the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. I am proud of the regeneration of the club's culture and our return to the Manchester United way of playing. I am sure that with the changes we have made on-field and to the coaching and football staff in recent years this great club will soon be lifting silverware again. It deserves to."
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Woodward will be replaced by Richard Arnold, a former executive at InterVoice, a company listed on NASDAQ. Arnold has worked at Manchester United for 14 years and has been the club’s Commercial Director since 2007 before becoming Group Managing Director in 2013. He also has a chair in the fans forum, leading a number of fan focused initiatives such as freezing season ticket prices for the last 10 years, expanding junior discounts, safe standing trials and barrier seating. He will be the first CEO of Manchester United since David Gill’s retirement in 2013.
In an open letter to Richard Arnold by Manchester United Supporters Trust, they urged the in-coming Chief Executive to address the three areas as priority: decline on the pitch, rebuild trust with the fans and outline financial plans to renovate Old Trafford. The letter read “You arrive into your role at a time when the club faces big challenges, and you have a great deal in your in-tray. We see three big challenges facing you. The last few months have been an enormous disappointment for Manchester United fans. A clear strategy to restore our fortunes is needed. In the immediate term, that means having a plan in place to appoint the new manager that includes proven football people in the decision-making process.
"The European Super League debacle was the culmination of the collapse in trust between Manchester United fans and the club. Since then, the club has taken welcome steps to rebuild trust but a lot more needs to be done .Old Trafford has been in decay for the whole of the last 16 years. As other clubs have invested in their stadiums, we have allowed ours to become one where the roof leaks on a habitual basis. Recent comments suggesting the club is preparing a major investment in Old Trafford are encouraging, but we want you to follow through with a clear plan to turn Old Trafford back into the best stadium in the country, as it used to be. The club is crying out for clear leadership, and we very much hope you can provide it. If you are able to deliver on the above three-point plan, all Manchester United fans will welcome your appointment."
