Sir Jim Ratcliffe copying Todd Boehly?! Incoming Man Utd chief to take key inspiration from Chelsea’s ownership model after investment deal is complete

According to a report in talkSPORT, Ratcliffe intends to reshape the club's recruitment structure after taking over football operations of the club following a £1.3bn investment deal that would see him gain 25 per cent ownership. The departure of CEO Richard Arnold is a move in that direction which indicates a significant shakeup at the board level, with Ratcliffe keen to adopt a modern approach to recruitment.

The INEOS chief plans to take cues from Chelsea and appoint multiple sporting directors, deviating from the initially expected single director. The Chelsea model, led by two sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, which has seen the Blues spend close to £1.4bn in transfers, seemingly serves as a blueprint for a potential resurgence at Old Trafford. This move aims to enhance control over transfers while allowing manager Erik ten Hag to remain focused on managing first-team operations.

As part of Ratcliffe's planned overhaul at Manchester United, two notable figures have been linked to permanent roles as director of football - Paul Mitchell and Dougie Freedman. Interestingly, Mitchell, who has worked with clubs like Tottenham and Monaco, was previously overlooked by the club when John Murtough was appointed. Freedman, currently serving as the sporting director at Crystal Palace, is another contender for the director of football role, as his work at Crystal Palace has received widespread praise. He played a crucial role in securing transfers for key players at the London club, including centre-back Marc Guehi and winger Michael Olise, who have been instrumental for the Eagles. Ex-AC Milan player and official, Paolo Maldini, and former Liverpool sporting director Micahel Edwards are other names in the mix.

The impending completion of the £1.3bn investment deal marks the beginning of Ratcliffe's transformative era at United, focusing on a collaborative leadership approach and strategic recruitment decisions. The confirmation of the takeover could potentially be announced by the end of November.