January 31 News James Ducker, a famous reporter from the Daily Telegraph in Manchester, reviewed
The year of Manchester United’s new chief executive, Richard Arnold, and the inside story.
They signed Casemiro after manager Ten Hag finally agreed to drop his 14-week pursuit of De Jong, with whom they had been in touch since late June.
Manchester United’s senior scouts – Simon Wells, Mick Court and Jose Mayorga – were at the club’s training ground in August, along with signings chief Shi
Steve Brown, transfer adviser Tom Keane, director of football Murtaugh and his deputy Andy O’Boyle.
Richard Arnold sits in the back.
In fact, United’s chief executive did not step in.
An insider said: “Richard has never been involved in football decisions like this, but he wants to make sure he understands why they are being made.”
Another source said: “Richard has the right level of accountability, which is the role of the CEO. He doesn’t sit there and micromanage: ‘Is the player capable? Can he play both defense and offense?’”
In other words, Arnold just wants to know whether Casemiro is suitable for Manchester United to pay.
Tired of seeing the club at the mercy of troublemakers and problem players, Alexander-Arnold had only one ban on the transfers of Ten Hag and Motav as part of their reshaping of the dressing room: “No d–
-heads)”
He was at the heart of convincing the Glazers to allow Manchester United to spend £75m more than last summer’s budget, but he was also a man of principle, so it was Arnold who persuaded Ten Hag that they had no funds to bring in Gakpo
“bridge”.
“He’s very good at handling these tensions,” one source said.
In fact, in the year since Arnold replaced Woodward, he pulled the core office of Manchester United’s top management from the London office back to Manchester, and gave Motaugh and Ten Hag absolute autonomy.
An insider said: “The biggest change is that United are now operating on an axis between Old Trafford and Carrington, where previously it was a strong triangle.”
Or, as another source put it of Woodward: “It’s a stupid CEO who shuts himself in an ivory tower, away from his employees.”
“Richard-Arnold may end up being the best football club chief executive in the world, but he’s a learner – he’s never done it before,” said a person who has worked at the club.
Some have questioned the relationship between Woodward and Arnold, but one insider said: “Richard was thought to be Woodward’s assistant, but he was very careful about where and how he honed his character.”
One added: “This friendship is exaggerated, they’re totally two ways of doing things.”
In addition, the Telegraph also revealed how Arnold works.
Many Manchester United staff commented to the Telegraph that he always listened to others and practiced a truly democratic policy: “When he was wrong, he would make fun of himself or put his hand up.”
For example, in the past few weeks, Alexander-Arnold was cooking in the Old Trafford canteen. He liked to mix with all the staff.
But if he doesn’t like something, he’s sure to tell people.
It was Arnold who hired organizational consulting giant Korn Ferry to vet employees for weaknesses, strengths or weaknesses.
Arnold, who declined to be interviewed by The Telegraph, has reopened lines of communication with Sir Alex Ferguson and the club’s former chief executive David Gill, with whom he maintains a good relationship.
The only problem now may be the sale of Manchester United, which will be the biggest uncertainty affecting Arnold’s future.