Five Glazer mistakes highlight misery at Man Utd as Ratcliffe ushers in new era
The expected completion of the sale of a minority stake in Manchester United to Jim Ratcliffe may usher in a new era following almost two decades of controversy under the Glazer family.
The INEOS CEO, who was once named as Britain's richest man, is set to take a 25 per cent share of the Red Devils after lengthy negotiations. The American family became the majority stakeholders at Old Trafford back in 2004 but their tenure at the club has been mired in controversy.
Now, the introduction of chemical production tycoon Ratcliffe to the Premier League giants' inner sanctum is likely to be accompanied by landmark changes. The 71-year-old businessman is expected to take the reigns when it comes to United's football operations as he attempts to mastermind a transformation in the club's fortunes.
In spite of overwhelming success on the pitch during the first eight years of the Glazers' time in charge, the Red Devils' decline has been stark in more recent times. After losing legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, alongside long-serving chief executive David Gill, their fortunes have been usurped by their great rivals.
In the last decade, cross-town rivals Manchester City and North West nemeses Liverpool have tasted glory both domestically and in Europe. United, on the other hand, have mostly played second fiddle to their old enemies in terms of getting back to sustained success. Here, Mirror Sport have taken a look into the overriding mistakes of the Glazers' tenure as the owners of Manchester United...
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
1. Leveraged buyout controversy
The Glazer family essentially got off on a bad foot with United supporters as soon as they completed their purchase of the iconic club back in 2005. Their divisive decision to buy the club for the price of $1.5bn, secured them a 98 per cent share of the club but immediately left the club in $787m of debt.
Sean Bones, vice-chairman of Shareholders United, said at the time: "The aim is to send a message to the board not to give the company books to Malcolm Glazer. The banks won’t give him the money unless he gets his hands on the books. refinance all of the debts heaped on the club by the Glazers in the form of bonds."
This led to protests from the Red Devils' fans as the American family collected the keys to Old Trafford, with those in opposition marching around the stadium and disrupting traffic. By the time the Glazers refinanced the debts in the form of bonds in 2010, tensions had not eased and more protests ensued - including the waving of yellow and green scarves by fans in the colours of Newton Heath.
READ MORE: Erik ten Hag's stat for rating Andre Onana "second-best goalkeeper" makes Luton star No.1
READ MORE: Andre Onana is just one of Man Utd's many problems - and the buck stops with Erik ten Hag
2. Sir Alex Ferguson replacements
Legendary Scottish manager Sir Alex Ferguson re-established Manchester United as the most dominant force in English football during his storied 26-year reign. After vowing to dethrone Liverpool as the most successful club in the country upon his arrival in 1986, he eventually surpassed the Anfield club's record of 18 league championships.
Signing off with a 20th league title in the 2012-13 season, the two-time Champions League winning boss nominated David Moyes as his successor. However, his compatriot failed to carry on the winning culture instilled by Ferguson and lasted just ten months in the hotseat.
Perhaps the managers who got away for the Glazers following Ferguson's departure are Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, who have masterminded great success at rivals Manchester City and Liverpool, respectively. Without a league title in decade, they have instead put their faith in Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and interim Ralf Rangnick before settling on current coach Erik ten Hag.
Sir Alex Ferguson experienced wild success as Manchester United manager over 26 years (Manchester United via Getty Images)3. David Gill replacement
The summer of 2013 represented a period of seismic change at Old Trafford, with the long-serving chief executive David Gill following manager Ferguson out the door. Although his departure may have not dominated the headlines in the same way, the impact of this loss cast a long shadow at the club.
Gill had been with the club in various capacities during the glory years in the mid-1990s as United's domination of English football was at its height. Appointed to the CEO role following Peter Kenyon's move to Chelsea in 2003, Gill helped to oversee another period of plenty at Old Trafford over the next decade.
Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move
However, the club's downturn in fortunes since his departure in 2013 has been markedly pronounced after vice-chairman Ed Woodward replaced him. Gill's successor came in for criticism throughout his tenure until he left in 2022 after a series of unsuccessful managerial appointments and major transfers.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and chief executive David Gill oversaw landmark successes together (PA)3. Super League plans
The Glazer family's stock in the red half of Manchester took another significant hit after they joined the cabal of English clubs that backed the European Super League plans in 2021. In one of the most controversial attempted power plays in recent sporting history, United joined rivals Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham in supporting the plans.
Joel Glazer made clear his position on the plans as he gave them his seal of approval, saying: "By bringing together the world's greatest clubs and players to play each other throughout the season, the Super League will open a new chapter for European football, ensuring world-class competition and facilities, and increased financial support for the wider football pyramid.”
The concept was met with widespread derision throughout the English football pyramid, as well as from the supporters of the clubs involved and the move was cancelled. Red Devils devotees duly staged protests against the move following this, as they gathered outside the city's Lowry Hotel before their club's clash against Liverpool.
5. Old Trafford maintenance
When the Glazer family purchased United back in 2005, Old Trafford was probably comfortably the most advanced stadium in world football. However, fast forward nearly two decades and the grand old stadium has now fallen behind the Red Devils' rivals both domestically and on the continent.
In fact, supporters have even spoken of the Old Trafford roof having allegedly been leaking in recent times, in an an example of pathetic fallacy. In an open letter to supporters Joel Glazer previously vowed: "We recognise that we will need to significantly increase investment in Old Trafford and our training complex to ensure that the club's facilities remain among the best in Europe."
However, with Liverpool and Manchester City having expanded their stadiums in the past decade and Tottenham having built a state-of-the-art arena, Old Trafford is in danger of being left in their wake. European rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona have also launched their own renovation projects at their respective grounds in recent years.
Old Trafford was once the most advanced stadium in the country (PA Wire)Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
