Manchester United's director of football, John Murtagh, has resigned and is set to leave the club this week after more than a decade at the club, as the INEOS-led restructuring of the sport's operations at Old Trafford continues.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment in United and his holding in a key role led to expectations that Murtagh would either step down or be offered another position.
However, in a move that is now expected to be formally approved, Murtagh has decided to step aside completely and allow the new regime to take shape.
Murtaugh will effectively be replaced by Dan Ashworth once Newcastle United's sporting director's gardening leave ends, while Southampton's director of football Jason Wilcox will become technical director. He is scheduled to take office.
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United hope Wilcox will start in the coming weeks if compensation is agreed, but it could take longer for Ashworth to start his duties.
This brings Murtaugh to the end of his 10-year spell at United, which he joined in 2013 after spells in the Premier League, Everton and Fulham.
Murtagh has been appointed director of football in 2021 (Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Initially focusing on the academy and scouting, Murtough was promoted to head of football development in 2016 and five years later became United's first director of football.
This effectively put him in charge of the men's, women's, and overall operations of the academy.
He will be a key figure in Erik ten Hag's appointment as manager in 2022, and will be heavily involved in building the team, alongside acting director of football Andy O'Boyle, director of football operations David Harrison and the Football League. He has built a team around him, including directors. Football negotiator Matt Hargreaves.
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They are among the members tasked with leading United on a day-to-day basis from Murtagh's departure until his successor is appointed. INEOS Sporting Director Sir Dave Brailsford will be resident and oversee the management team.
Murtagh is often criticized for United's activities in the transfer market, but the Englishman is credited with working with colleagues such as academy director Nick Cox to bring home-grown talent to the top level. It is praised.
This transformation on the part of the region and women can be seen as a positive development.
Many of Murtagh's responsibilities will eventually be taken over by Ashworth and Wilcox, while Omar Berrada is due to take over as chief executive from Manchester City this summer.
Darren Fletcher currently remains as technical director and United would like him to remain under a different title, but that is yet to be finalized.
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What should I do then?
Analysis by Mark Critchley
Murtagh will largely be absent from United's squad despite the club having spent £518m on transfers since he took over as director of football in March 2021 – unfavorably. With a hodgepodge of uniform, unbalanced and slightly bloated players, there are somehow still plenty of holes to fill.
Despite Rasmus Hojlund's successful start to life at Old Trafford, another centre-forward remains a priority, providing more reliable cover than Anthony Martial, who is set to leave on a free transfer. will be required.
At the back, uncertainty over Raphael Varane's future and Lisandro Martínez's battle with injury mean further investment is needed in the heart of defence.
Left-back is also a priority given Luke Shaw's lack of strength and Tyrell Malasia's season-long absence, while midfield has been revamped less than two years since the arrival of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen. The center also needs attention.
But the biggest and most consequential decision of all may be about the manager. Ten Hag is currently working with INEOS on plans for next season and hopes to remain at United and work under the new regime, but his position remains uncertain amid wildly inconsistent results. It is being scrutinized.
Ten Hag was the overwhelming choice to become United manager after a process led and executed by Murtagh. The search for yet another management team could rise to the top of Murtagh's successor's to-do list.
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(Kevork Jansezian/Manchester United via Getty Images)
