Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, is already making moves to sell his French football club, OGC Nice. This decision is particularly notable as Ratcliffe himself has been seeking to consolidate his interests in the football world. According to reports, Saudi Arabian investors are leading the chase with hard cash offers for OGC Nice. This announcement is the latest trend of increasing investment in European football by scrupulous Middle Eastern actors.
Ratcliffe’s move has been a big one, but his sale of OGC Nice completes the trifecta. He first purchased an ownership interest in the club in 2019. It is his choice to divest. His decision comes at the same time as him carrying through a second round of redundancies on Manchester United. These strategic changes are emblematic of Ratcliffe’s larger vision for both clubs as he aims to get them performing better while making them financially healthier.
As part of the restructuring at Manchester United, two senior leadership team members—Richard Hawkins and David Harrison—are expected to depart. Ratcliffe’s intervention comes with the intention of reforming the club’s hierarchy. He’s newly installed as its controlling owner and is passionate about revamping the non-profit. The redundancies illustrate the challenges faced by the club in a competitive football landscape, where efficiency and innovation are paramount.
Ratcliffe’s moves at both clubs signal a serious investment in turning the clubs into more competitive powerhouses. The transfer of OGC Nice can help to provide these additional financial resources. Those proceeds could then be reinvested into Manchester United or other sports investments.
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