French football expert Julian Laurens believes this is an ‘exciting time’ to be a Manchester United fan with Sir Jim Ratcliffe expected to hire Paul Mitchell and Jean-Claude Blanc at the Premier League giants.
If you believe the reports, Manchester United’s transfer policy under Ratcliffe is set to become far less ‘manager-driven’. As such, decisions over recruitment will no longer be taken by Erik ten Hag and Erik ten Hag alone, in what could be a nightmare scenario for agents of Eredivisie stars all across the Netherlands.
And, if you are wondering how such an approach could be to Manchester United’s benefit, you only need look a few miles down the M62. As The Athletic points out, Jurgen Klopp wanted Bayer Leverkusen’s Julian Brandt ahead of Mo Salah in the summer of 2017. And he might have got his man too without sporting director Michael Edwards stepping in and extolling the virtues of a man who would go on to become Liverpool’s greatest ever Premier League performer.
Paul Mitchell and Jean-Claude Blanc in
Klopp would later speak in glowing terms about Edwards’ contribution to a period of unprecedented, modern-day success at Anfield, and we can only hope that Ten Hag is saying similar about Paul Mitchell a couple of years from now.
“He clearly has a very good eye for talent. For young talent especially” Laurens says of Mitchell on The Gab and Jules Show, having admired the Stalybridge-born director at close quarters at Monaco.
“I think he is a very smart guy, he works really, really hard. He spends a lot of time watching players, analysing data and working with the team around him to make good – not overpriced – signings.
“He’s made mistakes, signings that didn’t work out. But, compared to what United have had – or have not had before – I think he is a huge, huge improvement.”
Mitchell is likely to take over from John Murtough as United’s director of football. As things stand, Murtough’s future remains uncertain. But his could be the next head to role after the departure of CEO Richard Arnold, Ratcliffe ‘less than impressed’ with United’s recruitment in recent windows (Daily Star)
‘Exciting times’
“(Ratcliffe’s plans are) good news for all fans. This should be exciting times. Not just because you are getting rid of Ed Woodward and his twin Richard Arnold,” Laurens insists, hailing the potential appointment of Jean-Claude Blanc as the club’s new CEO.
“Sporting-wise, finally you will get a structure in place which is like all the other top clubs in Europe
“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. For me, he would be a great CEO. If Sir Jim brings Blanc and Mitchell in at United, this will be the best move they have done for a very long time.”
According to FootMercato, Mitchell is ready to return to football with the Red Devils. He is available after leaving Monaco in October.
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