Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS' brutal cost-cutting at Manchester United has reportedly left staff stunned as 'mum to everyone' to leave her job after three decades at Old Trafford
18:37, 12 Feb 2025Updated 18:44, 12 Feb 2025
Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is making more cuts at Manchester United
Manchester United employees are said to be 'shocked' by the departure of the club's long-standing head of team operations.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are continuing their brutal cost-cutting at United, with Jackie Kay, a beloved figure at the club, set to depart from her role at the Carrington training ground after three decades of service.
It's reported that over 100 staff members face the risk of losing their jobs due to cost-cutting measures at Old Trafford. This follows a series of controversial decisions made by Ratcliffe, INEOS head of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, and technical director Jason Wilcox.
Kay has been with United for 30 years, initially joining as an executive assistant to former CEO David Gill. Coming from a family of United fans, she was only promoted to head of team operations in October 2023.
For over a decade, she has managed team logistics, operating from the Carrington training base. The terms of her exit are reportedly yet to be finalised.
Jackie Kay
Jackie Kay is said to have been hugely popular with players and managers(Image: (Image: Getty))
The Times reports that Kay's anticipated departure has left her colleagues 'stunned'. One insider described her as "the oil in the machine", and it's understood that Kay was extremely popular with players and numerous managers.
Staff are reportedly "upset" about the decision to make her position redundant. One colleague noted that Kay had "given her life to the club". It's reported that Kay's departure is not connected to the more than 100 redundancies reportedly looming across the club.
Former United captain Ashley Young lauded Kay's work at the club, he said: "She’s just brilliant. She’s like the mum to everyone. If there are any problems or there is anything we need sorting out it’s a case of ‘Jackie can you do this’, ‘Jackie can you help with this’.”
Don't miss a thing with football updates!
Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter!
From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox.
How do you sign up?
It only takes a matter of seconds.
Simply click on this link, then provide your email address and that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top football stories.
You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, right here
Reports have emerged that INEOS are gearing up for another round of job cuts in an attempt to cut costs and channel the savings into the budget for Ruben Amorim's flagging first team.
Article continues below
INEOS have cited hefty financial losses and the multi-billion pound redevelopment of Old Trafford as their justification for tightening the purse strings.