Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ruthless gutting of the previous regime at Manchester United might not make the Ineos chief particularly popular among some sections of the Old Trafford workforce, but who can blame him for attempting to shake things up a little?
As The Athletic explain in great detail, Ratcliffe is wasting no time in ringing in the changes, not only with regards to the behind-the-scenes staff but also with a long overdue change of culture in mind.
The boyhood Manchester United fanatic – who replaced CEO Patrick Stewart and CFO Cliff Baty with two trusted Ineos lieutenants in Jean-Claude Blanc and Roger Bell this week – is overthrowing a failing regime, knocking down the walls to rid the Red Devils of their metaphorical mould.
Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan, rather sceptical about Ratcliffe initially, is speaking more and more glowingly about one of Britain’s most successful ever entrepreneurs with almost every week that passes.
And The Athletic’s latest report on the changes at Man United has another who knows what it takes to succeed in business applauding from the sidelines.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe continues Manchester United rebuild
“Get in there Sir Jim!” Jordan tells talkSPORT (2 May, 11am), responding to claims that Ratcliffe has demanded United’s non-football staff return to the office in an attempt to end the club’s ‘work-from-home’ culture.
“Absolutely right. Despite the protestations from those who want to work from home, every grown up knows that you get more effectivity, more development of culture, more work-ethic, more diversity of thinking, in the work place.”
Now, we certainly do not ascribe to the theory that ‘working from home’ is essentially a glorified day off – yours truly certainly finds the comfort of his own home conducive to a clear mind and greater time-management – but who can blame Ratcliffe if he decides that, everything the previous bosses did, the new one should not?
Ineos are now in control at Old Trafford
“There is no doubt, in 95 per cent of professions, being present where you can be monitored, trained, engaged and have work disciplined (is the best for business),” adds Jordan, who made a fortune in the burgeoning mobile phone industry before getting involved in football.
“So well done Jim, because you need a culture. (Demanding people return to the office is) absolutely right. That shows the grown up thinking going on.
“If the culture is right, every window you look through should reflect Manchester United. Players should have the work ethic, the manager should have suits that fit him, and your commercial staff should be in the business running the business effectively.”
Ratcliffe has spoken on numerous occasions about his desire to turn Man United into a footballing – not just financial – juggernaut once again. Appointing genuine, elite-level footballing experts (one of the big failings of the Glazer era) is a massive step in the right direction, Jason Wilcox hired as technical director and Jean-Claude Blanc having been the brains behind the success of Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.
Ratcliffe reportedly told the United staff in a meeting this week that he is ‘confident’ Dan Ashworth will soon be joining too, despite continued and drawn-out negotiations with Newcastle over a compensation fee.