Dave Brailsford takes step back from Man United operations and will take up old role as Ineos sporting director.
Dave Brailsford to step back from Manchester United and return to Ineos
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the minority owner, is planning a reorganisation that will decrease Sir Dave Brailsford’s influence at Manchester United.
Since Ratcliffe acquired his United interest in February 2024, Brailsford has been instrumental. He resigned as team principal of the Ineos Grenadiers cycling team to oversee football operations at Old Trafford and devote a significant amount of time and effort to bringing about change at the club.
However, Ratcliffe is preparing a reorganisation in which Brailsford will resume his position as director of sport for the larger Ineos company following a season in which United finished in 15th place, their lowest Premier League finish, and lost to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
When he retires from riding at the end of the year, Olympic champion and former Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas is ready to assume a leadership position with the Grenadiers. The 61-year-old Brailsford has been in charge of a significant reform of United’s operations, which includes a £50 million renovation of the Carrington training facility.
Ratcliffe has reduced part of Ineos’s involvement in sports, ending his attempt to win the America’s Cup and the company’s support of the New Zealand rugby team. Ratcliffe is still dedicated to the cycling team, nevertheless, since they no longer have the same commanding lead as they did when they won seven of the eight Tour de Frances from 2012 to 2019. Following the September Tour of Britain, 39-year-old Thomas has announced his intention to retire.