The Tensions at Manchester United Amid Ineos Ownership
Manchester United, one of the world’s most celebrated football clubs, is currently undergoing significant changes under the leadership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his chemical company, Ineos. The club has confirmed that it will be cutting another 200 jobs, adding to the 250 redundancies that were made last year. This wave of job losses is part of a broader plan to improve the club’s financial sustainability and operational efficiency. However, the process has not been without its share of turbulence. According to a recent report by the Telegraph, some Manchester United staff have begun to view an Ineos official, Josh Thompson, as a "spy" for the club’s new leadership. This sentiment has led to increased vigilance and unease among the workforce, who are already on edge due to the ongoing changes.
Josh Thompson: The Face of Ineos at Carrington
Josh Thompson, the son of David Thompson, who is the chief executive of Ineos Olefins and Polymers Asia, has been identified by the Manchester Evening News as a key figure at the club’s Carrington training complex. Thompson’s presence has been noted by staff, who have reportedly dubbed him as Ineos’s eyes and ears at the facility. His father, David Thompson, served as the president of FC Lausanne-Sport, another club in the Ineos portfolio, from 2017 to 2022. Josh himself worked as a social media and marketing assistant at FC Lausanne-Sport during a three-month internship in 2018. This background has led to some staff questioning his role and even labeling him a "nepo baby."
Thompson’s Role and Responsibilities
Despite the skepticism, Thompson has taken on significant responsibilities at Manchester United. On his LinkedIn profile, he states that he works closely with Sir Dave Brailsford, the Director of INEOS Sport, and Jean-Claude Blanc, the CEO of INEOS Sport, to drive performance and synergies across their diverse portfolio of world-class teams. Thompson joined Ineos in 2019 as an engagement executive, supporting the legendary marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge’s "Ineos 1:59 challenge," an ambitious attempt to break the two-hour barrier. He later transitioned into a role as a fitness and wellbeing project manager before becoming a project manager at Ineos Sport in 2022. His educational background, with degrees in international business and sport business and leadership from the International School of Geneva and Loughborough University, suggests a well-prepared and knowledgeable individual for his role.
Staff Reactions and Perceptions
While Thompson’s presence has been seen as unsettling by some, others have described him as a "nice guy" and "personable." His visibility at matches, often seen in close proximity to Ratcliffe and Brailsford, has only heightened the speculation and scrutiny. Thompson was notably present in the welcome video for Ruben Amorim, the club’s new head coach, which some staff found particularly noteworthy. The Mail Sport also reported that Sir Dave Brailsford has been more conspicuous around Carrington, having temporarily relocated from his home in Monaco. Brailsford, an influential figure in the £50 million redevelopment of the training ground, has been another point of tension for the staff, who are already grappling with the uncertainty of their jobs.
The Club’s Financial Transformation Plan
Manchester United officially announced the latest wave of redundancies on Monday, emphasizing the need for a more solid financial platform to support the club’s ambitions on the field. The club’s statement read: "Manchester United is to transform its corporate structure as part of a series of additional measures to improve the club’s financial sustainability and enhance operational efficiency." The transformation plan aims to return the club to profitability after five consecutive years of losses since 2019. The club has stated that the redundancies are necessary to achieve this goal, creating a financial foundation that can support investment in men’s and women’s football and improved infrastructure.
The Human Impact of Change
The impact of these changes on the staff cannot be overstated. Berrada, a key figure in the club’s transformation, acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, saying, "We have a responsibility to put Manchester United in the strongest position to win across our men’s, women’s, and academy teams. We are initiating a wide-ranging series of measures which will transform and renew the club. Unfortunately, this means announcing further potential redundancies, and we deeply regret the impact on those affected colleagues." While the club’s leadership believes these decisions are essential for long-term success, the staff are understandably concerned about their futures. The challenge for Man United now is to balance these financial and operational objectives with the well-being and morale of its workforce, ensuring that the changes do not undermine the club’s culture and cohesion.
