25 January 2024 , 13:15
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Manchester City's players were left 'shocked' by Omar Berrada's decision to leave the club and join fierce rivals Manchester United.
The former City chief will take over as Red Devils CEO in the summer, ending a 13-year stay at the Etihad in the process. His arrival marks the first key decision recent investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made since his purchase of 25 per cent of United was confirmed just before Christmas.
Ratcliffe, alongside Sir Dave Brailsford, is expected to oversee United's footballing operations and will view prying Berrada away from their local rivals as a huge coup for everyone at Old Trafford. Not only does the Spaniard's arrival offer a significant boost to United, it is a damaging blow for City.
Some key figures within the City hierarchy view United's delight and stealing one of theirs as a compliment, but the overriding emotion among the City dressing room is believed to be one of disbelief. According to the Athletic, Pep Guardiola's squad were 'shocked' at Berrarda's decision after hearing the news while in the middle of their Abu Dhabi training camp.
The same report claims that Berrarda did not take the decision lightly and is well-aware of how joining United could burn plenty of bridges back at City. With that being said, the allure of what awaits him at Old Trafford clearly proved too tempting and as a result, he'll reside in the red half of Manchester come the end of the current campaign.
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Berrada, who is fluent in five languages, has been an integral part of City’s rise to become the Premier League ’s most dominant club. Last season's treble winners' own website describes him as someone who "has a track record in negotiating complex and innovative partnerships with leading brands and companies."
That description will be music to the ears of Ratcliffe, who is likely to hand Berrada plenty of resposibility and entrust the Spaniard to help restore United to their former glories.
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Omar Berrada has been confirmed as Manchester United's incoming CEO (Paul Currie/BPI/REX/Shutterstock)United's statement confirming news of Berrada's eventual arrival made clear his appointment has been made with a return to the elite in mind. It read: "We are pleased that Omar will be joining us to help achieve that goal, so that, once again, United fans can see, in the words of Sir Matt Busby, the red flag flying high at the summit of English, European and world football.
"Omar’s start date will be confirmed in due course; in the meantime, Patrick Stewart will continue as interim CEO."
Ratcfliffe's United overhaul is not expected to end with Berrada. Britain's second richest man is also likely to appoint a sporting director and a head of recruitment in the coming months.