Richard Arnold ‘to LEAVE Man Utd as replacement named with club set for huge overhaul after Sir Jim Ratcliffe takeover’

MANCHESTER UNITED CEO Richard Arnold will leave the club before the end of the year.

It comes as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Sport is set to confirm its acquisition of a 25 per cent stake in the club.

AFP

Richard Arnold is set to leave his role as Manchester United CEO[/caption]

Manchester United General Counsel Patrick Stewart has been appointed interim CEOGetty

Patrick Stewart, United’s general counsel, is set to be named interim CEO.

Stewart will juggle the two roles until a permanent successor for Arnold is appointed.

Joel Glazer, Executive Co-Chairman, said in a statement: “I would like to thank Richard for his outstanding service to Manchester United over the past 16 years, and wish him all the best for his future endeavours.

“We are fortunate to be able to call on the deep knowledge and experience of Patrick Stewart to provide interim stability and continuity as we embark on a search for a new permanent CEO.”

Arnold said: “It has been an incredible privilege to serve this great football club for the past 16 years.

“Through highs and lows, the constant has been the dedication of our employees and fans. I would like to thank all of them for their loyalty and commitment, and wish everyone associated with the club the very best for the future.”

Patrick Stewart said: “Together with my leadership team colleagues, my job will be to ensure that the club’s foundations remain stable while we embrace changes that can make us stronger over the long term, on and off the pitch, and to support the search for a new permanent CEO.”

Ratcliffe, 71, is reportedly planning a massive overhaul of the club’s player scouting and acquisition network.

FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS

Former PSG and Juventus chief Jean-Claude Blanc is under consideration to replace Arnold, report The Athletic.

While Ratcliffe is expected to bring in former British Cycling guru Sir Dave Brailsford to boost football operations at United.

And that means football director John Murtough and director of football operations David Harrison could also leave their jobs.

Ratcliffe is said to be concerned about how the trio have continued to oversee a succession of expensive purchases following the departure of previous chief Ed Woodward.

Arnold first joined United back in 2007, going on to replace Woodward who stepped down as executive vice chairman last February.

Ratcliffe is rumoured to be interested in hiring a sporting director, with Monaco chief Paul Mitchell eyed as a potential candidate.

The Ineos chief is also understood to be keen on hiring Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth.