Sir Dave Brailsford to ‘step back’ from Manchester United role after Sir Jim Ratcliffe decision

The latest from Manchester United as Sir Dave Brailsford steps back from his role at Old Trafford

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly planning a major reshuffle at Ineos that will see Sir Dave Brailsford return to his director of sport role.

That’s according to the Times, who claim that Brailsford will reduce his commitment to Manchester United. Brailsford stood down as team principle of Ineos Grenadiers when Racliffe completed his minority stake investment at the Reds and took charge of football operations within the club.

He has spent one year at the club implementing change, but this season was a disappointing one on the pitch. United finished 15th in the top flight, their worst Premier League finish in history and missed out on European football after being beaten by Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League Final.

Despite the torrid campaign, Brailsford is praised by Ratcliffe for overhauling the performance set up at the club, the £50million revelopment of Carrington and major plans for a 21st league title and first championship for the women’s team.

Ratcliffe has reduced his investment in sport in recent months, bringing an end to his sponsorship deals with the All Blacks and Spurs, while also ending his endeavours to win the America’s Cup – a sailing competition which is the oldest international sporting trophy still in existence.

Despite that reduction in investment, Ratcliffe remains committed to his cycling team – the Ineos Grenadiers – and plans to hire Geraint Thomas in a senior leadership position when he retires as a rider at the end of this season.

United’s absence from European football means that French club OGC Nice can come out of trust, having been placed there to comply with UEFA ownership rules. It will now return to Ineos Sport’s team with Brailsford leading that unit.

The report claims Ratcliffe wants him to return to his former role so he can oversee that transition and revive some focus on the Ineos Grenadiers, helping the likes of chief executive John Allert and performance director Scott Drawer.

The report does not go into detail about what will happen to Brailsford’s current role or whether the club will look to fill the void.

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