The executive vice-chairman of Manchester United, Ed Woodward, will to step down from his position at the end of the 2020-2021 season.
The 49-year-old was set to leave the club at the end of the year but announced his decision earlier than expected amid the European Super League debacle.
“I am extremely proud to have served United and it has been an honour to work for the world’s greatest football club for the past 16 years.
We have invested more than £1 billion in the squad during my time here and I am particularly delighted with the progress the players have made under the astute leadership of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his coaching team in the last two years.
I will treasure the memories from my time at Old Trafford, during a period when we won the Europa League, the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. I am proud of the regeneration of the club’s culture and our return to the Manchester United way of playing.”
he said.
On Sunday, twelve European clubs announced a new continental competition and decided to quit UEFA’s premier tournament next season.
Woodward, who was one of the driving forces behind this controversial league, stepped down from his role on UEFA’s Professional Football Strategy Council subsequently and was expected to fill one of the tops ranked posts in the ESL.
The proposed breakaway league received mass condemnation from fans, experts and players alike, and on Tuesday evening, just 48-hours after its creation, the competition was suspended.
However, multiple sources close to the club reveal that Woodward’s decision had no relation with the club’s involvement and withdrawal from the breakaway league.
“On behalf of everyone at United I would like to place on record our sincere thanks for his tireless work and dedication.
His contribution to the club has been massive, and he will always be welcome at Old Trafford as a part of the Manchester United family.”
said club chairman Joel Glazer.
Ed Woodward had an important role in Glazer’s controversial takeover of the club in 2005. But after being named the chief executive in 2013, he has often been heavily criticised for the club’s failure in the league and the transfer market.
