Former Monaco transfer guru Paul Mitchell could be heading to Old Trafford (Picture: Getty)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos want to make changes behind the scenes at Manchester United and are eyeing Paul Mitchell as the club’s new sporting director, according to reports.
The petrochemicals billionaire is on the verge of agreeing to buy a 25 per cent stake in the club for a fee of around £1.3billion, with the deal expected to be ratified on Thursday.
As part of the agreement, Ratcliffe and Ineos have negotiated a clause that will grant them control of sporting matters with the Glazer family taking a back seat.
One of the first items on the agenda will be improving and expanding Old Trafford, but Ratcliffe also wants to make changes to the footballing operation.
Although the Glazers have been criticised for a lack of spending, they have backed manager Erik ten Hag to the tune of around £400million – yet the side are only in 10th place in the Premier League table.
There is a feeling among the Ineos hierarchy that United’s recruitment could be improved and The Athletic are reporting that Ratcliffe wants to make a number of his own appointments, starting with a new sporting director.
Football director John Murtough has been in charge of transfers since 2021, with Darren Fletcher supporting him, but Ineos are looking to bring in a more proven name.
Michael Edwards, left, is also on Ineos’ radar (Picture: Getty)
Discussions have been held over a new sporting director and former Monaco transfer chief Paul Mitchell – who previously worked at RB Leipzig and Tottenham – is the main contender.
Mitchell left his role with Monaco to move back home to Manchester and has been heavily linked with a role at Old Trafford in the past, though the club ultimately decided to promote Murtough internally.
He has an excellent reputation as a talent scout and recruitment expert and also has a good relationship with senior figures at Ineos.
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Mitchell’s time at Monaco overlapped with Ineos buying fellow Ligue 1 side Nice, hence the familiarity, and it has been noted that Monaco were top of the table when he left after several successful transfer windows.
He is not the only name under consideration, however, with former Liverpool duo Michael Edwards and Julian Ward both having been discussed.
It is unclear if either is ready to make a return to work in the Premier League – particularly for such a big rival of Liverpool’s – but they are both highly rated by Ineos with Edwards having signed the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Vigil van Dijk as the Merseysiders ended their long wait for a Premier League title.
Quite what such an appointment means for Murtough and Fletcher is another matter, while former head of British Cycling Sir Dave Brailsford and ex-PSG chief Jean-Claude Blanc – who are both part of the Ineos setup – are expected to be handed roles at United.
MORE : Sir Jim Ratcliffe decides first priority after taking over reins at Manchester United
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Several new appointments are expected.