As reported by SkySports, Richard Arnold will take over as Manchester United’s new chief executive, succeeding Ed Woodward, who is stepping down.
Following his support for the doomed Super League, Woodward resigned in April, and Arnold has been a constant presence at United games since.
This year, Arnold has been active in United fan forums and will co-chair the fans’ advisory council, which was formed in the aftermath of the Super League to promote communication between the team and its fans.
Since David Gill stepped down as United’s CEO in 2013, Arnold will be the first individual to hold the position. Woodward is the executive vice-chairman of the board of directors.
Between 2002 to 2007, Arnold was the deputy managing director of InterVoice Ltd, a NASDAQ-listed technology business, according to United’s investor relations website. Arnold accompanied United co-chairman Avram Glazer on a trip to Saudi Arabia in November 2018 to attend the Misk Global Forum.
Richard Arnold, who is United’s managing director, joined the club in 2007 as a commercial director.
Since Aon became United’s jersey sponsor in 2010, the 50-year-old has been present during sponsorship unveilings, and Arnold accompanied the team on its pre-season tour of Australia and Asia in 2013.
Some United fans mocked Arnold in March after he said that trophy-less manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had produced “phenomenal success.” To emphasize the club’s commercial appeal, Arnold remarked in 2012 that United had “25 George Clooneys” on their roster.
As Rangnick will also have an important role in deciding the club’s transfer moves, Arnold will be keen to hear more closely from the German coach. Rangnick will be expected to join as the club’s counsellor after his interim tenure gets completed.
