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Manchester United promoted John Murtough to football director and appointed Darren Fletcher as their first manager as part of a striking restructuring.
Following Wednesday’s announcement, Independent.ie takes a look at how the dates went down and what they mean to move forward.
What has happened?
The notorious absence of a football director at Old Trafford has been the subject of discussion for years, making the shakeup announced on the eve of the Europa League clash with AC Milan particularly interesting. Murtough has been with United for seven years and, having recently served as head of football development, he has been promoted to the position of director of football. Fletcher enjoyed a medal-laden playing career after rising through the ranks of United, where he returned earlier in the year as part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coaching setup. The former midfielder becomes the club’s first manager and United Executive Vice President Ed Woodward said “These are extremely important appointments that reinforce the progress we have been making as a club in recent years in our tireless pursuit of success. “.
What will Fletcher’s role be?
The 37-year-old will focus on the long-term approach to player and squad development, key in a club synonymous with bringing in local talent. Fletcher knows that path well and will work closely with Murtough to add “technical information and direction in all areas of soccer and performance.” The former Scottish midfielder has impressed the powers that be at Old Trafford since returning to the club as a coach in terms of his knowledge, personal skills and vision. Solskjaer says he will combine coaching with the role of technical director, although the latter position will take precedence.
And Murtough?
Not as well known as Fletcher, the newly appointed soccer director has 23 years of experience working in the sport. Murtough joined United with David Moyes in 2014, having worked as the Premier League’s elite performance manager following roles with players such as Fulham and Everton. Murtough impressed in the repair and overhaul of United’s recruiting and academy setup, while also playing a key role in starting the women’s team from scratch. The club confirmed that it will “have overall leadership and responsibility for operations and strategy across all football functions,” and Woodward said that his “new position is a natural evolution that draws on his leadership qualities and years of experience in the game”. The new soccer director reports to Woodward along with Coach Solskjaer, the only soccer figures who will report directly to the executive vice president.
Because right now?
Having improved areas such as recruiting, United decided that promoting two people from within would be best for the club’s needs. Murtough becomes the leading authority on the Aon Training Complex alongside Solskjaer, offering operational experience that is complemented by Fletcher’s technical skills. While former coach José Mourinho was understood to be resisting such a model, successor Solskjaer welcomed the moves at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday. “I am very happy to have made this decision and the announcement,” said the United manager. “Of course I’ve known for a while. I’ve known John since I got here. He was here when I came in and now it’s more of a formal role, the job title. He’s still been working behind the scenes and I’ve worked well with him. . It is a cultural adjustment. We know that we are a work in progress and what we are doing we only want to improve and improve, so we are very happy with what we have. The continuity of the last years, but I still have new ideas and fresh thoughts with Fletch, who has been to the club before and is coming back now. “
What does it mean for recruitment?
Evolution, more than revolution, is what you see at United on that front. Solskjaer and the recruiting department each continue to have a veto on transfers, while Matt Judge remains United’s sole negotiator under the new title of director of football negotiations. Judge will brief Murtough, who will attend the recruiting meetings, as will Fletcher, ahead of an important and complicated summer by the coronavirus.
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