Expert: ‘Big announcement’ expected at Man United after Sky update
Man United are set for a “clean break” from the Ed Woodward era as Richard Arnold’s premiership as the club’s top executive begins.
So says finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Arnold’s imminent appointment as Red Devils CEO.
Sky Sports reported last Monday (20 December) that Arnold will soon be officially unveiled as the highest-ranking staffer on the Glazers’ payroll.
The current group managing director will be United’s first CEO since David Gill left the club in 2013.
Woodward, whose job title was executive vice-chairman, will stay on in a less prominent role as a consultant.
Plumley claims that the change in job title indicates a desire to move on from Woodward’s reign, which was characterised by fan-board conflict.
“We see the traditional CEO role more than we see the executive vice-chairman role,” the Sheffield Hallam University expert told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“You would expect a CEO to deal with the day-to-day running of the club at the coalface. He will have a direct line to the chairman and the owners.
“That was Ed Woodward as well. The change in title maybe just differentiates between them a bit and offers more of a clean break.
“It also depends on the individual. I would guess that he has the same kind of power as Woodward. It’s another big announcement either way.“
Woodward announced his plans to leave United after the collapse of the Super League in April this year.
Arnold was named as co-chair of United’s newly-established fan advisory board on 1 December.
In other news, pundit suggests Edinson Cavani move from Man United to Euro giants would be “madness”.