It looks like Ineos were just waiting for the summer transfer window to end before making the next wave of executive structure changes.
A day after reports emerged that deputy director of football Andy O’Boyle was set to leave Manchester United, another update came up.
United are expected to retain Christopher Vivell for another transfer window, as his contract is set to be extended till February.
Vivell joined United before the start of the window in a temporary head of recruitment role, and has clearly impressed enough to earn an extension, and potentially a permanent gig after that.
Man Utd fans on Christopher Vivell decision
Fans who remember United’s failed chase for the likes of Jude Bellingham and Moises Caicedo when they hadn’t yet made the big moves will be well aware of how different this window was.
Chido Obi-Martin, probably the most coveted prospect in youth football rejected the lot to sign for United, while the signing of Sekou Kone was sealed with extreme precision, unlike Caicedo when he was about to leave Ecuador, leaving Brighton to swoop for him.
A triple swoop has United’s spine sorted for the next 15 years, and fans all agree that Vivell has been a key driver of that newfound decisiveness in the youth football market.
One fan said: “Signins of Chido Obi and Sekou are the visible changes he instantly brought in. So, he deserves the extension!”.
There were many fans agreeing with the club’s decision, with “Great news” a common reply to the report.
Another wrote: “Would be an amazing addition to United. Hopefully we get him on a permanent, looks like this is a test period for him.”
There were some who were already preparing to send him the list of targets for the next window! One fans wrote, “[Sverre Halseth] Nypan in January would be nice!”
Others called him a “good asset” while wondering why don’t United just give him a permanent long-term contract straight away.
Either way, fans are already expecting some more youth signings not for the first-team to bolster their future ranks under Vivell’s guidance, whose record in unearthing gems is second to none.
What to expect from Vivell going forward
Vivell’s talent identification and knowledge of emerging markets like Africa and Scandinavia has made him a coveted person in executive structures around the football world.
He arrived as a free agent after cutting short his contract at Chelsea, while his pedigree at the likes of RB Salzburg, RB Leipzig, and others speaks for itself.
Vivell might come into the structure as an influential voice for youth recruitment, while also using his extensive network and knowledge to advise on first-team targets.
This continues the addition of a top name to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s “best in class” executive structure that looks to be taking its final shape.
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