SIR JIM’S DAYLIGHT SHRUBBERY
United poach City’s chief football operations officer... but Berrada must stay on garden leave for fear he will grass on latest Etihad transfer dealings
INCOMING Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada has been placed on gardening leave until the summer following his shock decision to quit Manchester City.
New United joint-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe personally sanctioned the appointment of Berrada following talks with the Glazers.
Berrada resigned from his role as City’s chief football operations officer, after agreeing a deal to join bitter rivals United.
But the neighbours have struck an agreement that will see Berrada wait until close to the start of next season before taking up his role at Old Trafford.
City bosses were keen to avoid Berrada leaking details of their upcoming transfer targets and contract offers to potential signings.
Ratcliffe identified Berrada as the preferred successor to Richard Arnold, who left ahead of Ratcliffe securing a 25 per cent stake in United for £1.3billion.
Berrada has earned a strong reputation in the game, after establishing himself as a leading businessman who understands football.
But his appointment still represents a huge risk from United and Ratcliffe.
This is due to Berrada’s long involvement with City, including some of the deals that have led to the English champions facing 115 charges of breaching the Premier League’s financial rules.
Berrada was included in City’s senior leadership team and involved in various partnerships and renegotiated deals.
That raises the bizarre prospect of Berrada perhaps having to give evidence on behalf of City at any Premier League hearing, while being United CEO.
Should City go on to be found guilty of breaking the rules, with Berrada complicit in the wrongdoing, he would either have to resign from United or face the sack.
City regarded Berrada as one of their most senior figures, and were grooming him to succeed either sporting director Txiki Begiristain or CEO Ferran Soriano in the future.
Berrada had been at the heart of City’s recruitment and financial operations, helping them be crowned as the best club in the world.
But some City supporters took to social media to suggest their club’s willingness to allow him to make the move across Manchester suggests they are confident of being cleared.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters revealed last week a date had been set for the hearing into City’s alleged wrongdoing.
He refused to name the date, although it is believed to be sometime this autumn.
And with the prospect of City appealing against any potential guilty findings, the whole process might not be resolved until 2025.
Historical Tweets posted by Berrada have emerged showing him aiming several digs at United on social media years ago.
But Ratcliffe and his INEOS colleagues are said to be delighted at the capture of Berrada.
Ratcliffe believes he will provide the fresh impetus, drive and direction United need in their sporting operation to help the team try to become one of the best in football again.