06 February 2024 , 09:29
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Former Manchester United CEO David Gill has urged incoming chief executive Omar Berrada to make three changes to help the Red Devils earn success
The 66-year-old joined United as their finance director in 1997 before stepping down as CEO in the summer of 2013 as Sir Alex Ferguson retired from management. Gill oversaw a sucessful period for the club and succeeded Peter Kenyon in 2003 as he maintained his position following the Glazers' takeover of the club.
With the appointment of Berrada, the Red Devils hope their new chief offers the first step in putting 'football and performance on the pitch back at the heart of everything we do'. The 45-year-old is currently on gardening leave with Manchester City, having most recently been their Chief Football Operations Officer.
With recent investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the injection of expertise from INEOS, Gill is hopeful that Berrada will be able to hit the ground running. Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on FIVE, he suggested utilising David Brailsford could be key, in addition to looking at the club's recruitment.
He said: "Firstly, I think appointing someone from outside is a good idea, someone with new ideas and a new perspective coming from a very successful club.
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"[My advice would be to] really focus in with Dave Brailsford and those on the recruitment and negotiation side, really understand that. Get the focus back on that, get it working better to deliver the players.
"We have just negotiated an extension with adidas, a great deal there, and we've got sponsors coming in all the time so that is working pretty well. But if you align that with a team performance you're doing even better."
David Gill worked at Manchester United from 1997 until 2013 (PA)Gill would also like to see Berrada focus on unifying the members of staff who work around the squad. He sees that as a way of returning to the ethos that the club is one.
"Rio will know this from Carrington and myself at Old Trafford, there are lots of people who work there," Gill said.
"Clubs have lots of people who have been there for many years, love the club and they just need a bit of hope, a bit of aspiration and that will galvanise them to work harder and be more motivated. To me, that's what's needed. Then getting back to the philosophy that we are all one club."
He added: "The ability as a good manager is to manage downwards, do it in the ticket office, the people working the electricity, that sort of thing. If you can show that sort of empathy with all the employees he'll make a great start."