BREAKING: Manchester United bring Sir Alex Ferguson back into fold in bid to launch new golden era.
Sir Alex Ferguson has rejoined Manchester United after the club’s CEO Richard Arnold sought counsel from the illustrious Old Trafford manager.
In order to benefit from Ferguson, previous CEO David Gill, legendary United captain Bryan Robson, and current football director John Murtough’s experience, Arnold established a think-tank. It will increase Ferguson’s influence at Old Trafford more than it has ever been since he left as manager over ten years ago.
It’s believed that the five men’s lunch meeting on Tuesday at Carrington, which took place as Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the training facility for talks, was the first of many such meetings.
Ferguson and Gill have remained non-executive directors on United’s football board since leaving their positions in 2013, but this has primarily been considered as a symbolic move because former United CEO Ed Woodward has chosen to handle things his way.
Sportsmail reported in November that Ferguson would welcome the chance to contribute more at United after only occasionally being consulted by the team’s previous manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The 80-year-old Scot can no longer actively contribute to United after overcoming a potentially fatal brain hemorrhage in 2018.
Arnold, who took over for Woodward in February, has realized the value of utilizing Ferguson’s extensive football experience because of his record-breaking 38 titles won over his 26 and a half years as manager at Old Trafford.
During his 16-year tenure at United, which included a decade as chief executive, Gill played a crucial role in that achievement. Despite his prominence in the game, though, Gill has also recently played a minor role at the club.
The 64-year-old Gill is a member of UEFA’s executive committee, the organization’s treasurer, the head of the finance committee, and the chairman of the remuneration committee.
Like Ferguson, Robson is regarded as a United legend and serves as the team’s ambassador. According to reports, the three individuals will provide Arnold with advice on a variety of topics, including the club’s connection with its supporters and the development of Old Trafford and Carrington.
They will take care not to step on Murtough’s toes, but it will undoubtedly include involve football-related topics. Ronaldo and Ferguson spoke with Arnold on Tuesday when the player and his agency met with Arnold, but it is believed that their conversation with Ferguson, Ronaldo’s former manager, was brief.
Due to the fact that Ferguson’s lunch meeting had been scheduled for some time, club insiders insist that their meeting was a coincidence. It is believed that Carrington may have been chosen as the new location so that Arnold could meet with Ronaldo and Mendes.
Additionally, it would have been a wise move by Arnold to have Ferguson in the building as he was the one who convinced Ronaldo to stay at United for an additional year in 2008. If his first six months in the position give any indication, it is safe to assume that he has realized Woodward’s mistakes.
Anyone who believed his hiring would result in continuity at Old Trafford was mistaken. This summer, Old Trafford saw a lot of modifications, and there will be much more in the future. Because Arnold is a unique individual with unique ideas, bringing Ferguson and Gill back into the fold alongside Murtough and Bryan Robson makes perfect sense.
He realizes how much knowledge they have and how foolish it was to not use it sooner. Arnold’s decision to turn to Gill is not a sign of weakness—quite the contrary. Even though he’s the boss of United, he doesn’t hesitate to ask for advice from a former boss who still has a lot of sway in the industry.
Ferguson and Gill are not relics from United’s past; rather, they can guide the team into a more promising future.
