Inside Manchester City reaction to Omar Berrada’s exit for Manchester United CEO role | OneFootball

Omar Berrada has resigned from his role at Manchester City to take on the position of CEO at Manchester United, it has been confirmed this week.

A statement released by Manchester City this week confirming Berrada’s exit read, “Manchester City Football Club can confirm that Omar Berrada has resigned from his role as chief football operations officer at City Football Group.

“The club understands his decision to look for a new challenge and he leaves with our thanks and best wishes.”

With the best wishes from his now-former employers, Berrada has in turn been confirmed by Manchester United as their new CEO, taking up the role at Old Trafford at the end of the ongoing season.

But how exactly have Manchester City reacted to a significant exit from their boardroom operation? There is an understanding that there is a feeling of calm to the news, with a new report offering insight into the Etihad Stadium and those in superior positions at the club.

According to the information of the Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski and Tyrone Marshall, Berrada ‘agonised’ over the decision to leave Manchester City, having played such a pivotal role since 2016.

It is further detailed that while Manchester City were ‘sad’ to see Berrada leave in a move but described as “amicable”, sources have drawn similarities with previous exits including Tottenham appointing Scott Munn from the City Football Group or Southampton hiring academy director Jason Wilcox as their sporting director.

The report states that Manchester City see such moves as examples of clubs offering their staff bigger roles to try and attract some success seen at the Etihad Stadium. In fact, the MEN report that City believe they have shown they are ‘the gold standard for football operations’.

As such, Berrada’s move to Manchester United emphasises how clubs are ‘looking to them (City) to try and close the substantial gap’ to the Etihad side.

But who could come in to replace Omar Berrada at Manchester City – an official that has not only played a pivotal role in the business operation side of the reigning Premier League champions, but also formed a unique working relationship with sporting director Txiki Begiristain.

Berrada has widely been credited for his work on multiple Manchester City transfers over the years, including Erling Haaland’s switch from Borussia Dortmund, and Aymeric Laporte’s move from Athletic Bilbao in 2018.

According to the MEN, City have not yet decided whether to replace Omar Berrada, with chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, chief executive Ferran Soriano, and managing director Brian Marwood also overseeing their colleague’s department.

As part of Manchester United’s statement confirming the appointment of Omar Berrada, it is stated that his start date with the club will be confirmed in due course, with Patrick Stewart continuing as interim CEO of the Old Trafford side.