In a turbulent week for Manchester United, staff members are reportedly feeling the heat from the ongoing restructuring process under the club’s new ownership by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos.
The latest round of job cuts has raised concerns among employees, with many now viewing an Ineos official as a ‘spy’ sent by the club’s new leadership.
Another Round of Redundancies Announced
On Monday, Manchester United confirmed that an additional 200 jobs will be axed as part of the ongoing restructuring efforts aimed at streamlining the club’s finances.
The latest job losses come on top of the 250 positions already cut last year, signaling a tough period ahead for staff members at the club.
The club’s move to make these cuts is part of an effort to bring the finances back into balance after five years of consecutive losses.
The club’s official statement highlighted the need for these difficult decisions in order to ensure a “solid financial platform” that would support future success on the pitch.
Ineos Official Under Scrutiny
Amid these job cuts, some Manchester United staff members have reportedly started to view Josh Thompson, a manager from Ineos, with suspicion.
Thompson has become a key figure at the club’s Carrington training complex, with some employees accusing him of acting as a “spy” for the new ownership.
The claims follow the news that Thompson has become deeply involved in the club’s day-to-day operations, seen as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s “junior right-hand man.”
Thompson, who is also the son of Ineos executive David Thompson, has been at the center of the restructuring conversation.
He was originally brought into Ineos in 2019 as an engagement executive, working with notable figures like marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge.
However, his increased presence at Manchester United has caused unease among staff, who feel his role as a close confidant to Ineos executives makes him a symbol of the club’s new direction.
The Growing Discontent Among Staff
As the transformation of the club continues, some employees have expressed frustration with the sudden and apparent rise of Thompson, who is said to be highly involved in the strategic decisions being made.
His responsibilities reportedly include organizing Sir Dave Brailsford’s schedule, and some staff have even labeled him as a “nepo baby” due to his family connections within the Ineos organization.
Despite the growing tensions, Thompson is described by others as personable and approachable, though his increased visibility around the training ground has raised eyebrows.
His presence is seen by some as a reminder of the changes being imposed by the new ownership, adding to the stress already felt by employees in the wake of the latest redundancies.
Club’s Official Statement on Redundancies
Manchester United has officially confirmed the latest job cuts in a statement that outlines the club’s strategy for regaining financial stability.
The club emphasized that these decisions were necessary to improve the overall operational efficiency and to ensure the club could reinvest in both men’s and women’s football.
“These hard choices are necessary to put the club back on a stable financial footing,” the statement read, acknowledging the pain caused by the job losses.
As part of their restructuring plan, the club is also working to improve its infrastructure, which could potentially benefit future football operations.
Ongoing Restructuring Under Ineos Leadership
While the ongoing cuts are clearly part of Ineos’s broader strategy to overhaul the club, the presence of Ineos executives like Thompson and Brailsford at Carrington is only likely to fuel further anxiety among Manchester United staff.
As the situation continues to unfold, staff will be hoping that the changes will ultimately lead to a more stable and successful future for the club, but for now, the atmosphere at the training ground remains tense.