- Omar Berrada was appointed the new CEO of Manchester United on Saturday
- Ferdinand has claimed the move has left Man City insiders ‘shocked’
- What the hell is going on in Newcastle?! Uncertainty over Joelinton and Callum Wilson, while Kieran Trippier’s departure will be a slap in the face – It all starts
Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Manchester City insiders are ‘shocked’ by the news that Omar Berrada is leaving to become CEO of rival Manchester United.
Ratcliffe has been a more prominent figure around Old Trafford in recent times, after his £1.3 billion deal to buy a 25 percent stake in the football club was completed. It has yet to be ratified by the Premier League.
Berrada joined Man City in 2011 but will now take on a bigger role at United, replacing Richard Arnold. Mail Sport understands his departure from Man City was amicable and he will now sit on the Man United board.
But according to Ferdinand, the move could be more important for United’s new owners than bringing in a new player in January.
Rio Ferdinand believes the appointment of Omar Berrada as Man United’s new CEO could be one of their ‘best signings in January’
The 46-year-old’s move over the line reportedly also left some Man City insiders ‘shocked’, claims Ferdinand
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“I’ve spoken to a few guys at City and they can’t believe we’ve got him,” he said on his podcast FIVE on Monday.
“They’re like, ‘Wow.’ He has done so much in the game at different levels. And he is successful. And it is a very good, sharp signing for us.’
‘I think this could possibly be one of our best signings in January. Especially in the current climate we are in now.’
Berrada had also helped facilitate deals for Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish during his time at Man City.
After joining from Barcelona in 2011, he rose up the ladder, starting as one of their heads of international business development. He later became senior vice president and commercial director for City Football Marketing.
He was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Man City in 2016, before becoming COO for the entire City Football Group, which operates 11 clubs across five continents.
Berrada joined City in 2011 and played a crucial role in signing Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish.
His appointment was largely prompted by new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS
A statement from United said on his appointment: ‘The club is committed to putting football and on-pitch performance at the heart of everything we do. Omar’s appointment represents the first step on this journey.
‘As one of the most experienced football managers at the top levels of European football, Omar brings a wealth of football and commercial expertise, with a proven track record of successful leadership and a passion for driving change within the club. help lead.
‘It is our stated ambition to re-establish Manchester United as a title-winning club. We are pleased that Omar is joining us to help achieve that goal so that United fans can once again, in the words of Sir Matt Busby, see the red flag flying high at the pinnacle of English, European and world football. ‘
It is thought Berrada will not officially take over his role at Old Trafford until this summer.
