What made John Murtough resign his role as Man United director?

John Murtough is finally leaving his role as director at Manchester United. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s takeover of the club is finally taking root, with the British billionaire purchasing a 25% stake in the club. He had promised big changes to the fans, and his INEOS teams are determined to make that happen.

Already some significant changes were made in the board, with some notable figures having to leave with Ratcliffe’s trusted men entering those positions. And Murtough is the latest element from the old regime to leave.

Why did John Murtough resign?

Manchester United have confirmed that John Murtough will be leaving his role as soccer director at the club. The club released a statement that said, “John Murtough is to step down from his position as football director of Manchester United and leave the club after almost 11 years in a variety of roles at Carrington.”

It was quite expected ever since the INEOS takeover, but took some time to be announced. The new owners have a new sporting structure in mind, and are appointing their own handpicked people in those positions. As part of the overall restructure, John had to leave though he was actually offered a new role which would be a lesser position. But he mutually agreed to leave by giving his resignation letter one week before.

The 50-year-old has been at the club for 11 years now under the Glazer family. He was their first soccer director in 2021, a position that did not exist before at the club. He was responsible for their transfer and recruitment strategy, which has not been really successful.

However, he has been credited with the revitalization of the club’s youth academy and his help in forming their women’s team. Under his tenure, lots of academy players have gotten into the first team, with recent examples being Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.

Who will replace John Murtough as Man United director?

Now that John Murtough will leave, his position cannot be left empty. The new owners already have a candidate in mind named Dan Ashworth. He will be appointed as a sporting director with the same role as Murtough. Currently, he is at Newcastle United and is on gardening leave. The Toons are being hard to negotiate with for his departure, and this is delaying the arrival of Ashworth to Old Trafford. They are asking for £20 million, which United will not pay.

Southampton’s Jason Wilcox is also a candidate to arrive as a technical director, and will take up some of Murtough’s previous roles. Southampton and United are in talks over his transfer, with the latter offering to pay years’ worth of wages as compensation. He is expected to quickly arrive before the transfer window.

Former Manchester City CEO Omar Berrada has already agreed to join his local rivals in a similar role. He has been quite successful for the Citizens, and is expected to join United in the summer.

Manchester United have a bright future with all these important arrivals, which is sure to bring them success soon enough.