The Manchester United supporters have dreamed of days like this.
When signings are chosen not for the amount of shirts they could sell but for their suitability to the manager’s gameplan. Longevity and potential over fame and reputations. It’s been a long time in coming.
A fanbase long since disillusioned with that gluttonous Glazer reign have long since prayed, too, for days when signings are chosen not by bankers and businessman but by those from a footballing background.
Hence why the appointment – albeit the initial short-term, interim appointment – of Christopher Vivell has been met with such delight.
The former Chelsea chief is the latest eye-catching hire made by Ineos, joining as the director of global talent on an interim basis albeit with the option of a long-term contract later down the line.
The Athletic explains arrives to help Manchester United move towards a multi-club model. Ineos also control Nice and Swiss outfit Lausanne Sport.
Vivell, meanwhile, has proven himself capable of making a success out of such a model, having worked for the Red Bull group while helping oversee the development of Salzburg and Leipzig.
Read more: Christopher Vivell profiled as ex-Chelsea man set to join Manchester United
Manchester United hire Christopher Vivell
Vivell’s superb track record when it comes to recruitment exciting young talent also appeals to a Man United side who – emphasised by their pursuit of Joshua Zirkzee over, say, an Ivan Toney – are prioritising future superstars rather than fading 30-somethings heading down the other side of the hill.
Vivell played a key role in deals which saw Erling Haaland, Dayot Upamecano and Benjamin Sesko to Salzburg.
Sesko, the £55 million Slovenian who has since crossed the border into Leipzig, continues to be linked with Man United to this day.
Interestingly, The Athletic add that Vivell is also an admirer of a man he could come to work closely with in his new home in England’s north west.
The 37-year-old German reportedly attempted to lure Erik ten Hag to RB Leipzig as a replacement for Julian Nagelsmann before the former Ajax boss opted to put pen to paper with Manchester United back in 2022 instead.
The sword of Damocles had been dangling ominously over Ten Hag’s head only a few weeks ago. The Dutchman is now appears to be operating from a position of real strength and renewed security, even if the next contract he signed at the start of July only proved to be a 12-month extension.
In Vivell, Ten Hag now has another supporter in a new-look backroom staff.
The appointments of Rene Hake and Ruud van Nistelrooy – both of whom were spotted arriving at Carrington on Monday ahead of joining a revamped coaching brigade – should also help a man who found himself spread thing last term but can now focus on what he does best; coaching.
All change at Old Trafford under Ineos
“Ruud van Nistelrooy is a legend. Rene Hake is a name that is less appealing, but he is very skilled. That is probably what Erik needs,” Fred Rutten, who worked alongside Van Nistelrooy during the 2022/23 season at PSV Eindhoven, tells ESPN.
“It speeds up processes. (With more top-level coaches) you don’t need three months to clarify your working method.
“(Van Nistelrooy) sees the game well. He can provide excellent training in the sense that he has a goal in mind, and then achieves that goal,” Rutten explains. “If he gives a message, (the players) don’t just take it for granted, they take it very seriously.
“But Rene Hake can do that very well too. In that respect, they fit together well.
“Everywhere he has worked, the team is good. Rene is very skilled in training theory, you can see that. “His teams are always quite fit.
“That can be an added value for Erik.”
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