Ineos have come in at Manchester United like a whirlwind and managed to do more than even the most optimistic fans would have envisioned.
From the executive staff restructuring to the actual restructuring of the club’s operations and outlining a new transfer strategy on the pitch, they have been relentless.
In terms of the executive staff restructuring, it was believed that their final team was in place when Christopher Vivell was brought in as the head of recruitment.
He was the final addition after Jason Wilcox, Omar Berrada, and Dan Ashworth, giving the whole team a new look and feel.
However, as it turns out, the hirings are not done, with another position identified to be filled next to Berrada.
Ineos to fill another key role
In terms of footballing roles, the only specialist appointments so far have been those of Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell.
Both Dan Ashworth and Omar Berrada are overarching roles responsible to the wider clubs ops instead of just focusing on football.
Off the pitch, some appointments have also been made, like Jean-Claude Blanc on the board of directors, while the departures of Cliff Baty and Patrick Stewart, to name two, have happened.
Baty, in particular, was the Chief Financial Officer at United, a key role that has since not been filled, until now.
The Athletic report that Ineos intend to appoint a Chief Business Officer who will report to Omar Berrada in the new structure.
The profile of the job being changed to Chief Business Officer is notable as, on paper, it looks like it is a more holistic remit of operations.
That could be why he is reporting to the new Chief Executive Officer Omar Berrada, who has expertise in the financial side of things as well from his time at the City Football Group.
However, the most important thing that can be taken from this stance is the big message it reveals about Ineos’ influence at the club.
Move that says a lot
When Ineos took over 25% of the club, it was reported as being in control of the sporting operations, while the financial side would still be led by the Glazers.
However, their actions since then say a lot about Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s increasing ambitions for the team, spilling into the financial side as well.
Cliff Baty’s departure was the first sign but it is not uncommon to see employees from the previous regime leave under new leadership.
Having said that, if Ineos are the ones who end up leading the appointment for a Chief Business Officer, as is being reported, then it can all but spell the end of Glazers’ influence at Old Trafford.
The American owners have already disappeared from the public eye and the ire of United supporters as Ineos have become the face of the club operations.
If their influence in decision-making is also increasing with each day and new appointment, then that 25% might be a barrier only on paper.
The day that goes away as well will be a day of great celebration among United fans. Till then, they can rest easy knowing that, as of this moment, they just look like ceremonial owners despite having 75% share on paper.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
