Man United appoint new Football Director in major club restructure
Premier League
By
Mirror
| Mar 10, 2021
Manchester United have appointed former midfielder Darren Fletcher as technical director in a major restructuring at the club.
John Murtough, formerly United's Head of Development, has been handed the role of football director and will lead the club's overall football strategy.
The pair will work closely with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his staff, continuing the work which has already seen an overhaul of the club’s academy and recruitment department.
Fletcher, who was appointed to Solskjaer's coaching staff at the start of the year, will focus on adding technical input and his expertise into all football and performance areas.
His role will include focusing a long-term approach to player and squad development, helping to maintain the link between the club's academy and the first-team.
Although Fletcher's new title is his permanent role, he will continue in his coaching role with Solskjaer and the first-team, until the end of the season.
The creation of the new roles means Woodward will not be as heavily involved in transfers as he has been, with the recruitment department deciding on targets and Solskjaer having the final say.
Matt Judge, whose new title is Director of Football Negotiations, will continue to oversee the process of negotiating transfer deals and contract renewals, with Murtough now the first point of contact for clubs who want to buy or sell players.
Murtough, who has been at United for seven years and was Head of Elite Performance at the Premier League before that, will work with Solskjaer on a day-to-day basis.
Fundamental to his role will be player recruitment and ensuring the first-team has the operational support it needs to succeed.
As manager, Solskjaer will continue his input in the recruitment process, supported by a worldwide network of scouts and data analysts, who will all report to Murtough.
Fletcher said: “It's great to be back with the club and I am delighted to be taking on this new role.
“We are moving in the right direction and I am looking forward to continuing to work with Ole and his coaching team, and now with John as the Football Director, to help bring young players through and further develop the football side of the club.
“It’s fantastic to see that all the staff here are driving Manchester United forward towards a new era of success.”
Murtough said: “This is such an exciting time for everyone at Manchester United. It’s a privilege to be part of that process, and an honour to lead Manchester United’s football department.
United Executive Vice-Chairman Ed Woodward said: “These are hugely important appointments that reinforce the progress we have been making as a club in recent years in our relentless pursuit of success.
“We have already made great strides forward in the way we run our football operations, and the benefits are visible in the resurgent pipeline of Academy talent reaching the first team and through our improved recruitment record.
“John has been integral to our progress in these areas and his deep understanding of development ensures the club’s traditions of bringing young players through from Academy to first team will continue.
“This new position is a natural evolution that harnesses his leadership qualities and his years of experience in the game.
“Darren’s stellar achievements as a player and his own journey from Academy to Premier League and Champions League winner means he naturally commands respect and understands this vital part of the club’s DNA.
“In this new role, the first in our history, he will deliver technical advice across all aspects of the football department as well as contributing to the communication and delivery of our football philosophy across all areas of the club.
“I am delighted that John and Darren have accepted these roles and I look forward to the contribution they will make, together with Ole and the rest of the staff, as we build toward future success.”
Although Fletcher's new title is his permanent role, he will continue in his coaching role with Solskjaer and the first-team, until the end of the season.
The creation of the new roles means Woodward will not be as heavily involved in transfers as he has been, with the recruitment department deciding on targets and Solskjaer having the final say.
Matt Judge, whose new title is Director of Football Negotiations, will continue to oversee the process of negotiating transfer deals and contract renewals, with Murtough now the first point of contact for clubs who want to buy or sell players.