- He is officially in charge of football operations at Old Trafford
- He aims at moving a host of under-performing stars from Old Trafford
- He also has targeted players to take to Old Trafford
Sir James Arthur Ratcliffe is the chief executive officer of INEOS and is officially in charge of Old Trafford after his takeover was approved. This gave him a say in Manchester United’s decisions.
In a view to address Old Trafford’s limitations, Ratcliffe is currently considering modernizing the existing infrastructure of the stadium and constructing a new facility that will offer the opportunity for a larger capacity with modern facilities. With his position, he is trying to get the squad in order and already targeting transfers.
He aims at making the players perform and if they don’t, he will move the underperforming lot from old- Trafford as he has already set his target on replacements. According to Manchester News, those out of contract next summer have been earmarked for exits, with hope to bank considerable amounts for other performing players.
He stated that those on loan stints at Manchester United could be sold on permanent deals.
Jim Ratcliffe Biography
James Arthur Ratcliffe is a 52-year-old who was born in Failsworth, England where he grew up in a working-class family. He excelled academically attending Beverley Grammar School and later earned a degree in chemical engineering from Birmingham University.
Jim Ratcliffe. Photo/Daily Post Nigeria
His thirst for education saw him advance his studies to a master’s level where he pursued an MBA from London Business School. He found opportunities in several companies and co-founded a small speciality chemicals company called INEOS.
Through strategic acquisitions and expansion, he transformed the company into a global leader in the chemicals industry.
In February 2024, Sir Jim acquired a significant stake in the iconic English football club Manchester United, becoming a minority shareholder. While he is not directly in charge of the stadium, he gained control of the club’s sporting operations influencing player recruitment, training and management. His influence on Manchester United while focused on the sporting side, sparks intriguing possibilities for the club’s future.
Little-known facts about Jim Ratcliffe
While he keeps his personal life private, there are few known things about him. He was married to Amanda Townsn for ten years and they have two sons together. He also has a daughter from a previous relationship with Italian tax lawyer Maria Alessia Maresca and is currently in a relationship with Catherine Polli.
Ratcliffe splits his time between residences in Hampshire, England and Monaco. Years back, he sought approval for a luxury home in Hampshire, highlighting his potential interest in grander living spaces.
The 52-year-old enjoys an active lifestyle and is known for his passion for sailing and cycling, and has sponsored professional cycling teams including Team Sky, an association that demonstrates his passion for the sport.
Before founding INEOS, he co-founded a small software company, SDR Consulting that proved fruitful with INEOS.
Has Ratcliffe been involved in controversies?
Ratcliffe is a strong advocate for fracking, a controversial method of extracting natural gas and has criticized the UK government for restricting the practice. In his justification, he argues that it hinders domestic energy production and economic growth, a stance that has raised concerns from environmental groups about potential environmental damage and induced seismicity.
Jim Ratcliffe. Photo/ClutchPoints
Another incident is when he moved his tax residence from Hampshire, England to Monaco, a decision that was perceived as a tax-minimization strategy leading to criticism.
Jim Ratcliffe’s appointment at Manchester United
His appointment has received mixed reactions from various stakeholders. The fans viewed the appointment with cautious optimism as they welcomed the potential for a change in leadership and a shift towards a more fan-centric approach.
Other fans are skeptical about the appointment and say he has a lack of extensive experience in football management which raises doubts in some regarding his ability to effectively lead the club.
Similar to some fans, some football experts expressed cautious optimism, acknowledging his financial resources and potential to invest in the club, but also emphasized the need for a well-defined strategy and competent leadership to achieve success.
In conclusion, while some view it as a potential opportunity for positive change, others remain cautious and express concerns about his long-term plans and approach.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login