Manchester United staff have been left stunned by the “brutal” dismissal of the club’s long-serving head of team operations as part of the restructuring by Ineos at Old Trafford.
On a day when it emerged that further redundancies are planned, with more than 100 staff now at risk of losing their jobs, The Times has revealed the shock decision to part company with Jackie Kay after almost 30 years serving the club.
Kay, from a United-supporting family, has worked at the club since 1995, initially as executive assistant to David Gill, the former chief executive, before taking charge of first-team logistics for more than a decade at the Carrington training ground.
She was promoted to head of team operations in October 2023, only a few months before Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos became co-owners, and was a hugely popular figure with the players as well as a succession of managers. One insider described Kay as “the oil in the machine”, the conduit beyond the manager and the players.
The terms of Kay’s departure have yet to be agreed, but she was informed last week of a decision that is part of a wider performance overhaul under the guidance of the Ineos head of sport, Sir Dave Brailsford, and the technical director, Jason Wilcox. Staff were said to be “upset” by the decision, making the point that Kay had “given her life to the club”.
Ineos are being forced to make some difficult decisions against the backdrop of heavy financial losses, a misfiring team now under the guidance of Rúben Amorim and an Old Trafford redevelopment plan that could cost billions.
There has been a series of cost-saving measures and a clear directive to reduce staff numbers. Prior to Ratcliffe’s arrival, the total number of United employees had ballooned to 1,112.
Last year there was a move to reduce that figure by 250 and now a further 100 employees are in jeopardy, with United recently announcing losses of £300million in the past three years.
Labels
Manchester United Premier League
West Bromwich Albion had effectively been in decline ever since the club was sold to a Chinese consortium in August 2016, paying a figure north of £200m to buy former owner Jeremy Peace’s stake. Controlling shareholder Guochuan Lai’s ownership was fairly disastrous for the club, but his unloved tenure finally came to an end after Bilkul Football WBA, a company ultimately owned by Florida-based entrepreneur Shilen Patel and his father Dr Kiran Patel, acquired an 87.8% shareholding in West Bromwich Albion Group Limited, the parent company of West Bromwich Albion Football Club. This change in ownership was urgently required, due to the numerous financial problems facing West Brom, including growing high-interest debt and serious cash flow concerns, following years of no investment from the former owner. Indeed, West Brom’s auditors had already rung the alarm bell in the 2021/22 accounts when they cast doubt on the club’s ability to continue as a going concern without making player s...
Tottenham Hotspur is in talks to sell a minority stake in a deal that could value it at up to £3.75 billion and pave the way for Joe Lewis and his family to sever ties with the Premier League football club. Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is seeking an investment that values the club at between £3.5 billion and £3.75 billion, including debt. While the terms of any deal have not been finalised, City sources expect Spurs to sell about 10 per cent. The club is being advised by bankers from Rothschild on the sale. Tottenham wants to raise fresh capital for new player signings and to help fund the development of an academy for its women’s team, as well as a 30-storey hotel next to its north London stadium. The financier Amanda Staveley, who brokered the deal for Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund to take over Newcastle United, is understood to be among the parties to have expressed an interest in Tottenham. Staveley’s fund, PCP Capital Partners, has raised about £500 million to ...
Millwall’s season was overshadowed by the tragic death of owner John Berylson following a car accident. The American had been an exemplary owner, beloved by the fans for his leadership, passion and generosity. Millwall’s finances had been pretty good during his tenure, which we shall explore by looking at the most recent accounts from the 2022/23 season, when the club narrowly missed out on a place in the play-offs after finishing 8th. Millwall’s pre-tax loss slightly reduced from £12.6m to £12.2m, as revenue rose £0.8m (4%) from £18.6m to a club record £19.4m and player sales improved from a £0.1m loss to £2.5m profit. However, other operating income dropped from by £1.1m from £1.3m to £0.2m, while operating expenses increased £1.7m (5%) from £31.6m to £33.3m. The main driver of the revenue increase was broadcasting, which rose £1.1m (12%) from £9.1m to £10.2m, though match day was also up £0.4m (7%) from £5.8m to £6.2m. In contrast, commercial fell £0.7m (19%) from £3.7m to £3....