Jean-Claude Blanc is emerging as a key figure behind the scenes at Manchester United already.
With Ineos‘ investment in Manchester United moving ahead full speed, Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s backroom staff is taking shape already.
Supported by advisor Sir Dave Brailsford, Ratcliffe has also been leaning on Jean-Claude Blanc for advice too.
Blanc is the chief executive of Ineos Sport, who took up the role in late 2022. He is set to play a key role when Manchester United’s investment is greenlit by the Premier League.
The Frenchman was pictured watching Manchester United’s FA Cup win over Wigan along with Brailsford, and the Red Devils former chief executive David Gill, who has been approached for advice.
The Frenchman has also been seen at Carrington along with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and brings with him a wealth of experience to lead Manchester United forward.
Blanc had been tipped to become chief executive, however, he is taking a more strategic role, retaining his position as Ineos leader, and all that encompasses across their various sporting properties.
Omar Berrada is the club’s new chief executive, hired from Manchester City in what looks like a major coup for the Red Devils.
Blanc took on the role as ‘kingmaker’, reported by HITC Football’s Graeme Bailey to be key in Manchester United identifying Berrada as the best man to lead Ineos’ project at Manchester United.
Here is a look at everything you need to know about Jean-Claude Blanc…
READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2024, ins, outs, loan moves
10 quotes about Jean-Claude Blanc
Let’s start with Sir Jim Ratcliffe himself, who explained his excitement at landing Blanc for Ineos at the end of last year.
The billionaire said: “I am delighted to welcome Jean Claude as chief executive of Ineos Sport with his many years of experience across different sports.
“We have high ambitions for all our sports teams with a particular ambition to raise our standards in football and Jean Claude will bring an entrepreneurial and innovative flair to all our teams.”
Blanc has areas of expertise across sport, from cycling, to tennis, and even Winter Olympics.
His journey in football began at Juventus when he was hired by owner John Elkann. Speaking about Blanc’s appointment to the Financial Times, he said: “The important thing is to know interesting, good people. See what they’re doing. Try to work on projects together.”
His time at Juventus was an eventful one, taking over after their demotion to Serie B. He was able to steady the ship, helped to plan a new stadium, and oversaw promotion back to Serie A. Blanc had to cut ties with many superstar players after their relegation, to balance the books, but he also managed to keep hold of a few important ones.
One of his big successes was convincing legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon to stay. The Italian goalkeeper said: “I’m staying next season, I’m confirming this officially, I spoke with Elkann and Blanc and they convinced me of the project they have for the team.”
Blanc appears to have the personal touch. Jérôme Bureau, former L’Equipe editor, told Le Parisien: “I have seen him in negotiations, he is an incredible salesman who only has one thermometer: money.”
Christophe Bouchet, former president of Marseille, added further detail. He described Blanc: “He is ambitious. He charts his course, he moves forward and he knows where his priorities are. This is the mark of good managers.”
His negotiating skills came in useful at Paris Saint-Germain, where he helped the club land Edinson Cavani, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Kylian Mbappe among many others, and also managed to finally convince Gianluigi Buffon to leave Juventus.
He was publicly praised for the Cavani deal by PSG owner Nasser Al Khelaifi, per GFFN: “Edinson Cavani signs a five year deal with us. I thank Jean-Claude Blanc for completing this transfer. It wasn’t easy.”
Last December when Blanc left, Al Khelaifi paid tribute: “We sincerely thank Jean-Claude for his fantastic contributions to the history and success of Paris Saint-Germain over so many years. The club has developed enormously during this time. We are now perfectly positioned to take the club to the next level which will be delivered by the new management team to be announced in due course.
“We wish Jean-Claude every possible success for his next professional challenge next year. He leaves with our gratitude, and will always remain part of our family.”
Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivère has been pleased by Blanc’s involvement on Ineos’ behalf, which has coincided with a dramatic improvement on the pitch for the team. He told The Mail: “He is extremely competent and he embodies everything I like on a human level, with real values, ‘He is frank, humble, efficient, pleasant on a daily basis. Jean-Claude ticks all the boxes.”
The Lionel Messi of sport business
Nice CEO Fabrice Bocquet was even more complimentary, per GFFN: “It’s a real opportunity for INEOS, OGC Nice, and it’s a privilege for me. We discuss club topics several times a week, communicating regularly.
“He is a bit like the Lionel Messi of sport business, it’s not just a question of expertise but of interpersonal skills. He brings his vision, his network, his calm, his experience.”
French journalist Julien Laurens told The Gab and Jules Show, concerning the Manchester United links: “I think (Blanc) did a good job at Juve to clear things up. He loves football but he’s not a football guy himself, you know? You won’t see him heavily involved in transfers, recruitment, in first-team football,”
“That’s not him. However, he is very good with numbers. He is a very smart guy. He knows all the economics, the way the structure is. If Sir Jim brings Blanc and Mitchell in at United, this will be the best move they have done for a very long time.”
French reporter Abdellah Boulma added further reason to be excited. He wrote on X, via Red Central: “Jean-Claude Blanc is the boss. He is one of the best CEO’s in the world.”
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