Manchester United fans were undoubtedly chuffed to hear that their club had appointed a new CEO as new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe proceeds to build his new executive team over the weekend, but there’s already been a dampener on spirits after they dug up some old tweets.
Well, this is awkward.
Having poached the former chief operations officer (COO) directly from rivals Manchester City, Omar Berrada was never going to arrive at Old Trafford with a totally clean slate, but the news on Saturday, 20 January did feel like somewhat of a coup given his success down the road.
However, Man United supporters wouldn’t have been hoping to unearth a selection of unfavourable tweets about their beloved Reds from Berrada barely a day into the job which makes his appointment as CEO feel like less than a match made in heaven.
Watching the Man Utd vs Bayern 1999 UCL final on ESPN Classic. I had forgotten how much Bayern really deserved to win that match
The first of several unfortunate tweets from Man United’s new CEO.
Yes, it might be over a decade old (as most of them are) but the 45-year-old took aim at the very greatest moment in the club’s history and it’s never going to rub fans the right way, is it?
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On the other hand, giving him the benefit of the doubt, many people have agreed that Sir Alex Ferguson‘s side was far from their best during the game and that it was merely the nature of the late comeback that was so remarkable.
So, trying to be as objective as you can, perhaps you can brush this one off relatively easily.
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The only problem is that this is by no means the only one.
Ok, far from the best look for a club’s new CEO but he was already at City during this time, joining as head of international business development before moving on to director of partnership sales; senior vice president group commercial director, then COO and finally a senior role in City Football Group.
He was hardly going to be singing United’s praises whilst employed by one of their closest and most historic rivals.
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If you were willing to give him even more rope, you could also argue that what he said at the time was bang on: there’s almost no other era that defines the post-Ferguson decline at the club than Moyes’ tenure and we’re sure you’d find most fans would agree.
But it doesn’t stop there either…
Stuck at the airport 'cause of snow delays. Killing time watching @mufc vs @chelseafc on my iPad via Sky go. And hoping for a ManU loss…
Yes, while he might not strictly be a Chelsea fan per se, he certainly wasn’t a United fan back in the day and made that abundantly clear on social media. The reaction from most Reds is as you would expect; “Berrada we need to talk about those old tweets big chief” pretty much summed everything up.
While there are plenty of players, managers and staff in general that put their childhood allegiances aside to make it in the professional football business — even Ratcliffe himself has been reported as a Chelsea fan at heart — I guess it comes down to a matter of how many of these you’re willing to brush off.
At the end of the day, any modern-day football fan can be under no illusions that Berrada sees this as anything more than another job which he’s been offered enough money to take.
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As his LinkedIn reads, he’s been “responsible for managing and optimising group football operations for almost 100 teams across 11 clubs on five continents.” United are quite literally just one in a dozen.
One thing that can be said is that he served as part of one of the most successful executive teams in world football over at the Etihad, having helped take care of the business side of things as they picked up trophy after trophy.
On the other hand, as journalist Simon Bajkowski was quick to point out, “It’s as correct to say that United getting Omar Berrada from City is a coup as it is to say that Berrada is firmly implicated in City’s alleged wrongdoing.”
How Man United’s new CEO navigates the reaction not only to these tweets but the ongoing case against the Blues will factor hugely into how steady/unstable a start to life with the Red Devils — you only have to look at history to see how the likes of Ed Woodward and Richard Arnold fared.
Fans are also keeping a keen eye on the rest of the newly installed INEOS team, with one character in particular posing an interesting prospect for the future of the rebuild.
Featured Images — Hays Worldwide (via YouTube)/The Manc Group
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Manchester City hit with backlash from season ticket holders after ‘divisive’ North Stand update
Danny Jones
Manchester City have shared a new update on the impending North Stand expansion and concourse upgrade, but the most recent reveal has been met with plenty of backlash from supporters set to suffer the consequences.
The Etihad is currently undergoing a major transformation that will see numerous new facilities added to the wider campus experience – most notably the increased capacity of the North Stand, which will make room for a further 7,000 or so fans.
Back in March, the club revealed the official brand partners for their upcoming on-site hotel, which will also accompany a new sky bar and rooftop stadium walk experience as part of the wider plans, but while adding more seats and things for matchgoers to do sounds good on paper, it’s come at a cost for many.
Reacting to the news of social media, many regular fans are now set to be forced out of their seats to make way for more hospitality sections at the end of the stadium, meaning the post has proved ‘divisive’ to say the least.
Are you joking? I’ve sat in the same seat for almost 20 years and this is how I find out I’m ‘relocating’. It’s an absolute disgrace the way you’re treating loyal fans in favour of tourists. I was there when we were shit, do you think they will be here if we go to shit again?
As you can see, both Blues, neutrals, and even rivals alike are expressing their shock and disappointment in not only the decision but the manner in which the announcement was made.
One person said on X: “You turfed me and hundreds of others out of our seats four seasons ago when you dug them up for digital signage. We were all split up and had to scrape around for new seats. Had enough of all the new rules and digital tickets/transfers. I sit on my sofa now and save £3k.
Reply in the comments underneath the response, a Manchester United fan added: “I don’t like City, but this is something I can stand with [fans] on.”
Even well-known online commentators like ‘HLTCO’ (Hopkin Looking To Curl One), a.k.a. Dan Cook – a notable Crystal Palace die-hard – shared his two cents online.
“Man City season ticket holders are being told that they’re being permanently moved from the seats they’ve had for years to accommodate a new corporate seating area”, he wrote, adding: “This is the sort of thing that fans everywhere have to push back against; these clubs see us as a nuisance.”
In terms of what the stadium overhaul looks like, the latest CGIs show the first proper glimpse of the new ‘Cross Bar’ that will “offer a relaxed, social atmosphere” for around 300 fans, as well as the new ‘City Hall’ concourse area, which will cater to around 500 punters both on game-days and beyond.
As detailed in the full statement on the club website, they have insisted that they will be supporting those “may need to move seats ahead of the commencement of the 2026/27”, clarifying that no one will need to be relocated to accommodate the Cross Bar, specifically.
They go on to add: “We understand that relocating seats may be unsettling, and we are here to support these fans”. They have promised things like a “priority relocation window” and, most crucially, a guarantee that they won’t have to pay more to sit in what is typically a more expensive stadium block.
However, while they have also assured that people will be able to move groups of seats so as to stay around their friends, as explained by a user above, this is easier said than done and ticket uncertainty remains a big concern among the fan base.
What do you make of the latest Etihad Stadium news, City fans?
Altrincham FC name new interim coach after sacking long-serving manager Phil Parkinson
Danny Jones
Altrincham FC have sacked their long-term manager Phil Parkinson after eight years and an unfortunate winless run.
The Greater Manchester club dismissed ‘Parky’ after nearly the best part of a decade, following the loss on penalties in the tie against Winsford United (6-5) and a long series of defeats and a couple of draws.
For context, they’ve picked up just a single point in the National League, and they haven’t won since the 2-1 victory over Sutton United on 6 September.
Subsequently, Alty FC had little choice but to change things up, with Parkison and his right-hand man being reluctantly let go and his temporary replacement having already been restored.
Confirming the decision on Thursday, 24 October, the club wrote in a statement: “Altrincham FC have today parted company with Manager Phil Parkinson and Assistant Manager Neil Sorvel.
“Given recent form and the current league position, it is clear that results have not met expectations. The Board therefore believes a change of direction is necessary at this point in the season.
“The Board wishes to place on record its sincere gratitude to Phil and Neil for their outstanding contribution over the past nine years. Their achievements, professionalism, and commitment have played a major role in shaping the modern-day Altrincham FC.
“A full tribute reflecting on their time with the club will be published on the official website in due course.”
More importantly, they have assured that the hunt for a new full-time “leadership team within the football department – one fully aligned with the Board’s long-term vision for the club” – has begun.
Chairman Mark Luby also made sure to reiterate that Parkinson and Sorvel have left the club “in a much stronger position than when they arrived” and, as well as recognising their achievements in that time, assured that the decision was “extremely difficult”.
As for who has been tasked with lifting them from 20th in the table, former Wealdstone FC duo Neil Gibson and his assistant Lee Jones are now in place.
We are pleased to confirm that Neil Gibson has been appointed to lead the team on an interim basis, joining immediately alongside Assistant Lee Jones.
Having already navigated a side to safety from the drop zone last season, Luby clearly believes the pair to be a shrewd appointment.
“The impact they had under challenging circumstances at Wealdstone was impressive by any measure”, he says, “and they demonstrated clear leadership under pressure”, adding that Gibson’s contacts in the game and vision on how to improve things on the pitch should help steady the ship.
Quickly put in post and preparing for the game against Braintree Town this weekend, the new Robins boss said:“I’m proud to be here. When the club shared its ambitions and the immediate challenges ahead, I felt there was an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, and I was excited to accept.
“While the Board focuses on the recruitment of a permanent Manager, Lee and I will give everything to move this team up the table and build momentum as quickly as possible.
“I know how passionate the supporters are, and I look forward to speaking with them more fully in due course and to seeing the travelling fans at Cressing Road on Saturday.” Principal sponsors AO are also helping fund the 600-mile round-trip journey for 57 supporters next month against Truro City, too.
Danny Jones -
22nd January 2024 
