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Two top Manchester United executives are set to leave the club as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s latest round of staff redundancies.
Since he assumed operational control of United in February last year, Ratcliffe has implemented a number of ruthless cost-cutting measures, including firing hundreds of staff. Eight months ago, the INEOS billionaire let 250 employees ago and he wants to reduce the head count at the club by an additional 200.
According to The Athletic, Richard Hawkins, United’s director of football insights and innovations, and David Harrison, director of football operations, have both been informed that their services are no longer needed, with exit terms now being discussed.
The newspaper reports that the duo are the most prominent figures impacted by Ratcliffe’s job cuts to date.
Hawkins has been in his current role since March 2023, after initially joining the club in 2008 as a human performance manager before being appointed head of athletic training services and then head of physical performance. It’s understood his duties revolved around identifying advanced methods and technologies to enhance United’s sports science across the men’s, women’s and academy teams.
Meanwhile, Harrison was in charge of all the operational aspects at United’s Carrington training complex. He also oversaw travel and accommodation for the first team, and football administration matters, such as player registrations.
Harrison played a key role in the refurbishment at United’s Carrington training ground. The Athletic confirm that Harrison, who was brought on board by former football director John Murtough, will stay to facilitate the transition back to United’s revamped training grounds.
There have also been internal changes, with Collette Roche, United’s chief operating officer, set to revert to her former role as chief development officer. She will oversee the proposed new stadium project once the renovation work at Carrington is completed in July.
Roche had temporarily shifted her focus from stadium development to support football operations, but she will now return to overseeing matters related to the new stadium project.
Christopher Vivell joined United last summer in an interim spell but now, his role as the Red Devils’ director of recruitment has been confirmed to be permanent.
Meanwhile, Michael Sansoni is due to start work as the head of United’s data department this week. Sansoni comes in following a stint with the Mercedes Formula 1 team.
Ruben Amorim and his players are back in action on Sunday when they go away to Brentford. Kick-off is at 14:00 BST.
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