Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of John Murtough as the club’s first football director.
Darren Fletcher has also been given a promotion that will see him work closely with Murtough as the club’s first technical director.
Manchester United Promote John Murtough and Darren Fletcher to Key Roles
We are pleased to announce the appointment of John Murtough as the club’s new Football Director, and Darren Fletcher as Technical Director.#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 10, 2021
John Murtough Given Overall Control
The club state that the new football director, John Murtough, will have “overall leadership and responsibility for operations and strategy across all football functions.”
This represents a major move at Old Trafford – with the club long-reported to have been keen to make an appointment in this area.
Perhaps handily, the eventual candidate has come from within. Murtough has been working closely with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in recent years and will look to build on his working relationship with the Norwegian in his new role.
Darren Fletcher, who has been made technical director, will work closely with Murtough to “add technical input and direction into all football and performance areas,” as the club website states.
Fletcher is a popular man at Old Trafford, having made 342 appearances for the club, scoring some big goals in that time.
Murtough’s Promotion ‘Natural Evolution’
Speaking of the changes at the club, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward told the club website: “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 all 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.”
It’s clear that John Murtough has impressed those around him at the club, having been touted for the role for a while now.
Woodward Delighted With the Appointments
Adding on Darren Fletcher’s promotion, Woodward said: “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,” Woodward concludes. “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.”
All the Focus on Building Success for the Red Devils
John Murtough told Manchester United on his new role: “This is such an exciting time for everyone at Manchester United with the first-team, academy and women’s team all performing strongly, and plenty of development still to come.
“It’s a privilege to be part of that process, and an honour to lead Manchester United’s football department, working alongside Ole, Casey and so many other truly outstanding staff all dedicated to delivering success to this club.”
Darren Fletcher added: “It is 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.”
Matt Judge has also been given a new title at the club, he will now be listed as the director of football negotiations.
Long Time Coming
It remains to be seen how these changes will impact Manchester United as a football club and whether the desired success will come, however, it puts a close to a situation that has been open since Jose Mourinho’s dismissal in 2018.
Initially, in the statement on Mourinho’s departure, the club indicated a director of football would be coming in following the next managerial appointment – that never happened. It’s taken over two years to make an appointment for whatever reason. Having taken such a long time, one would expect they have found the optimal candidates.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
