Paul Mitchell is keen to join Manchester United and be a part of the recruitment campaign.
Manchester United’s pursuit of Paul Mitchell has been strengthened by the fact that he ‘would love’ to be hired as the club’s new sports director, and journalist Ben Jacobs has offered GIVEMESPORT with an update on the matter.
It appears the Red Devils are preparing to enter a new era, having been under the Glazers’ rule since they won control of the club after taking their shares up to 70 per cent by buying out Irish racing tycoons JP McManus and John Magnier in a £790million deal 18 years ago, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe being confident of securing a 25 per cent stake.
The Ineos chief executive has been negotiating with the current hierarchy since they put Manchester United on the market by beginning a ‘process to explore strategic alternatives’ last November, and he will be looking to make his mark if his bid is accepted.
Mitchell in pole position to secure Man United sporting director job
Mitchell is in line to become Manchester United’s new sporting director, according to the Telegraph, as Ratcliffe is keen to bring in a fresh face to play a leading role in the club’s transfer activity if his deal to acquire a minority stake is ratified.
The report suggests the 42-year-old, who has been eager to embark on a fresh challenge since bringing the curtain down on his time with Ligue 1 side Monaco earlier this year, is the early frontrunner for the job after Dave Brailsford has spoken to a number of candidates over the last 12 months in his position as Team Ineos’ director of sport.
Ratcliffe has put Mitchell at the top of his list of contenders, leading to uncertainty over what the future holds for John Murtough after the billionaire was unimpressed when he visited Old Trafford earlier this year despite the current board members being happy with the football director and new chief executive Richard Arnold’s influence.
The United Stand presenter Beth Tucker recently told GIVEMESPORT that Mitchell could bring a host of exciting names to Old Trafford as he has an impressive track record at his previous clubs, having also worked behind the scenes at the likes of Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and RB Leipzig.
| Paul Mitchell’s behind-the-scenes experience | |||
| Club | Position | Date appointed | Date he left |
| Monaco | Board member | July 1, 2022 | October 1, 2023 |
| Monaco | Sporting director | June 17, 2020 | October 1, 2023 |
| Red Bull Bragantino | Technical director | September 1, 2019 | June 16, 2020 |
| New York Red Bulls | Technical director | September 1, 2019 | June 16, 2020 |
| RB Leipzig | Head of Scouting | February 6, 2018 | August 31, 2019 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | Head of Young Scouting | December 5, 2014 | February 5, 2018 |
| Southampton | Head of Scouting | January 6, 2012 | December 4, 2014 |
| Milton Keynes Dons | Chief Scout | January 1, 2010 | January 5, 2012 |
| Milton Keynes Dons | Head of Youth Scouting | January 1, 2008 | December 31, 2009 |
It is understood that Mitchell already has a good relationship with Ratcliffe and, having developed a strong reputation, he would head to Manchester United with plenty of pedigree.
But the Red Devils appear to be keeping their options open when it comes to securing a new sporting director as Michael Edwards and Julian Ward have also been discussed as potential arrivals behind the scenes, while talks were held with Dan Ashworth before he took up a similar position at Newcastle United.
Ben Jacobs update – Paul Mitchell
Jacobs understands that Mitchell has been on Ineos’ radar for a number of months, with them initially looking to lure him to Nice – where Ratcliffe is the owner – before moving onto the cusp of securing shares in Manchester United.
The respected journalist is aware that the sporting director target has relocated to Manchester after sealing his Monaco departure, while he is also keen on returning to the Premier League by heading to Old Trafford.
Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT:
“As I’ve exclusively reported, and have done all the way back since March, Paul Mitchell has been on Ineos’ radar. When Ineos first discussed Paul Mitchell, it was really more with a view to the group and Nice in particular. But now, if they get Manchester United, that’s a role that Mitchell would love to take.
“He is not the only candidate, but he is a leading candidate. He has left Monaco now and is back in Manchester, so this could be perfect timing for Mitchell to get his next job.”
Ratcliffe being made to play waiting game at Old Trafford
Ratcliffe’s deal to secure a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United may not be completed ahead of the January transfer window, according to MailOnline, as lawyers are continuing to work on the final details of his £1.4billion proposal.
The report suggests it could be a number of weeks before a final agreement is reached between the Glazer family and the 71-year-old, who officially became the second-wealthiest person in Britain thanks to his near-£30billion fortune earlier this year, and New York Stock Exchange and Premier League requirements would make it unlikely that he will be on board before the turn of the year.
Ratcliffe is looking to acquire chunks of both the Glazers’ shares and the stock publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange in equal proportion as he aims to take Manchester United into a new era, while he has already made plans to make major changes.
He is eager to increase the capacity of Old Trafford to 90,000, having ensured potentially expanding the Theatre of Dreams was a significant part of negotiations to acquire shares, while his involvement will accelerate those plans thanks to funds being set aside.