Sport
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Glazer family issue statements as John Murtough leaves Manchester United after 11 years
At least two names have already been floated to replace him.
Danny Jones -
9th April 2024 
Manchester United have confirmed that John Murtough is stepping down from his role as Football Director and is set to leave the club after more than a decade.
Spending 11 years at Man United all-told and three years as Football Director, it has now been revealed that Murtough will vacate his role at Carrington and within the sporting operations around Old Trafford.
Having arrived as part of David Moyes’ attempted overhaul and served a significant spell as Head of Development from 2016 up until being promoted to Director in 2021, he’s seen the very best and worst of the Red Devils during his tenure at United.
The 53-year-old is understood to have played a key role as head of negotiations, with many having labelled the club’s recruitment strategy one of its biggest flaws in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. Safe to say, there’ll be plenty of fans lofted by the news.
Speaking in an official statement, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said: “We want to thank John for his loyal service over many years, and for his support and integrity during this period of transition. He leaves with our best wishes for the future.”
Short and sweet from the new man steering things behind the scenes. Things were kept similarly brief on the Glazers‘ end too.
Speaking on behalf of the long-serving and much-maligned American owners, co-chairman Joel Glazer simply added: “After 11 years of tireless work for the club, John has mutually agreed with us that now is the right time to step aside and allow the new football leadership structure to be put in place.
“He will always be welcome back at Manchester United as a friend of the club.” As for his replacement, it is now thought that Southampton’s opposite number Jason Wilcox could be set to fill the role after having reportedly resigned from the club just a year after first being appointed.
United have been linked with Newcastle’s sporting director Dan Ashworth who has a great pedigree in the same role throughout his CV.
However, it is also thought that the club would have to pay a sizeable fee to secure his services, although a move for the 53-year-old still looks probable as he has already been put on gardening leave by the Newcastle board.
With Ratcliffe having already installed the likes of Sir Dave Brailsford and Omar Berrada as chief executive, and now John Murtough on his way out, it’s all change at the executive level for United.
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Featured Images — André Zahn (via Wikimedia Commons)
