The Glazer family’s decision to reject Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani’s offer worth over £5billion for 100 per cent of Manchester United has been met with disappointment in some corners of the fanbase. And that emotion spreads internally, with many staff bound to be unhappy about the outcome of the 11-month process, according to reports.
Sheikh Jassim maintained his stance throughout the process. He wanted a full sale. Nothing less. And he wasn’t going to pay anymore over the odds than his hefty offer worth more than double the club’s £2.6bn market value.
Ratcliffe’s approach has differed. He initially planned to purchase the Glazers’ 69 per cent stake before switching his offer to 50.1 per cent, which left the door open for the American family to retain around 20 per cent.
That failed, too, but the 70-year-old billionaire persevered. Unlike Sheikh Jassim, he was willing to be flexible.
And after regular meetings in New York and elsewhere, his £1.4bn deal for 25 per cent and total control over sporting decisions blossomed.
The INEOS CEO’s plan is expected to involve a phased takeover over the coming years to eventually remove the Glazers from Old Trafford.
But Sheikh Jassim’s withdrawal will not have been welcomed by a chunk of United’s 1,000-strong workforce, reports claim.
According to the Mail, Sheikh Jassim’s Qatari bid was the preferred option among most of United’s staff, while the Glazers kept them in the dark over their decision.
Many are said to fear that Ratcliffe will waste no time in employing figures he trusts as part of a sporting overhaul, but Sheikh Jassim was expected to give current employees a chance to prove themselves.
The concerns extend among United’s senior management amid murmurs that Sir Dave Brailsford will occupy an important role and Ratcliffe will search for a new sporting director.
United chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough are included in those who face uncertain futures at the club once Ratcliffe comes into power.
The Brit has reportedly already considered Paul Mitchell, Michael Edwards and Julian Ward to replace Murtough. United also previously held talks with Dan Ashworth before he joined Newcastle United.
And Jean-Claude Blanc, who joined INEOS in February, has the potential to overthrow Arnold less than two years after he replaced Ed Woodward.
Blanc has experience operating at European heavyweights – previously working for Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus – and his arrival would represent a monumental changing of the guard.
