Man United new arrival could now plunge club into ‘turmoil’ – Keith Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed Man United could be plunged into “more turmoil” if new commercial director Marc Armstrong makes too many sweeping changes.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed the commercial side of United “runs itself” and should not be altered drastically.
According to L’Equipe (8 October), Man United are poised to announce the appointment of Paris Saint-Germain’s Armstrong as a new commercial director.
The French newspaper claims he was keen to return to England.
Armstrong worked with Jean-Claude Blanc at PSG before the 61-year-old was also snapped up by INEOS as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s overhaul.
Man United raked in commercial revenues of £302.9million in the 2023-24 campaign – no change on the previous year.
The Red Devils have recently kicked off a new front-of-shirt sponsorship deal with Snapdragon and Qualcomm, reportedly worth £300million over the next five seasons.
‘It could bring more turmoil’ – Man United issued warning about new hire
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “This is just one more box to be ticked as they freshen up the whole internal team.
“They started on the football side, now they’re looking at the commercial side and the financial side.
“INEOS will be going through, making appointments and trying to make a new spirit with new faces.
“It’s nothing more than that.
“Man United as a commercial machine tends to run itself, in many ways. There shouldn’t be much change.
“There is a cycle of sponsorships that will have to be renewed.
“A commercial director can’t influence things much at a club like Man United. They’ll have some key areas, but if he tries to create a whole new culture – it could bring more turmoil.
“There is enough change at Man United right now.
“Armstrong originally started with the FA, but has gone on to handle the NBA in Europe. He’s got good experience, a good CV – but I don’t think it’s a signing of consequence.”
In other news, United told Eddie Howe’s Newcastle release clause.
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