Kieran Maguire tips Arnold to emulate ‘legendary’ Man United figure after Sky update
Chief executive-elect Richard Arnold is a “safe pair of hands” for Man United just the “legendary” David Gill.
So says finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider with Arnold’s appointment to the top job reportedly imminent.
Sky Sports claimed on Monday (20 December) that the Glazers are set to name Arnold as CEO, with an announcement due in the coming days.
He will effectively replace the outgoing Ed Woodward as the club’s top executive, but he will be given the title of CEO rather than vice-chairman.
United predicts that Arnold will not rock the boat and look to the example of Gill, who spent 10 years at Old Trafford, for inspiration.
“Everything at United has to be signed off by Joel Glazer,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“United just want to formalise the role by having a chief exec. That’s what you normally expect from a listed company.
“David Gill was legendary in his safe handling of the club. In Richard Arnold, they have a similarly sober and sensible person.
“They want to reflect that in his title. I wouldn’t expect him to have any more power than Ed Woodward because Joel Glazer has a pretty significant hands-on role.“
Woodward has been at United since 2012 but decided to step down in the immediate aftermath of April’s Super League fiasco.
He will, however, remain on the Glazers’ payroll as a consultant.
In other news, Eddie Howe makes up mind on signing Man United star Anthony Martial after £6million Newcastle United.