Manchester United confirm two new key backroom appointments | OneFootball

Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of two new members to the club’s leadership group.

Ratcliffe’s overhaul continues

Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner of United and assumed operational control, he has been on a determined mission to place the best-in-class personnel in key roles throughout the club.

He initially started with the footballing department, bringing in the likes of Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox and now-departed sporting director Dan Ashworth.

Ratcliffe’s radical overhaul has since extended to other departments of the club including scouting and recruitment, medical, nutrition and more.

The INEOS billionaire has made it clear publicly on multiple occasions that he’s committed to restoring United to their former glory, with a central part of his vision being that elite off-the-pitch talent is just as crucial as the players and the manager.

Now, United have confirmed the arrivals of two new faces to take charge of key functions at Old Trafford.

United announce appointment of duo

Earlier on Wednesday, United released a statement confirming the appointment of Mike Sansoni as director of data and Kirstin Furber as the people director of Manchester United.

United’s statement about Sansoni read, “Mike Sansoni has joined as director of data, following 11 years with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team, where he was most recently senior performance engineer and contributed to eight world championship-winning seasons.”

“Reporting to Omar Berrada, chief executive, Sansoni will be responsible for transforming the club’s capabilities in data and artificial intelligence, drawing on his experience in machine learning and advanced modelling in Formula One.”

United stressed that Sansoni has been given the objective of transforming the Red Devils into a “data-led organisation” that leverages the benefits of predictive technological capabilities and AI.

Meanwhile, the club noted on Furber, “[She will] take the lead in developing and evolving the club’s workforce and people culture. She will join this autumn, after five years as people director at the broadcaster Channel 4, and prior spells at organisations including BBC Worldwide and 20th Century Fox.”

“Furber also has experience in sport as a non-executive director of British Wheelchair Basketball and previously at the London Football Association.”

United noted that additional appointments would be made to support Sansoni in his role, but offered no such clarification regarding Furber.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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