LONDON – Sir Jim Ratcliffe has completed a deal to purchase a 27.7% stake in Manchester United which will grant his Ineos company control of football operations at the club, reported PA Media/dpa.
The Ineos founder, chairman, and chief executive has completed his acquisition of 25% of the club’s Class B shares and 25% of the club’s Class A shares.
The investment from Trawlers Ltd, a company wholly owned by Ratcliffe, received Premier League and Football Association approval last week and was officially confirmed last night.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe said: “To become co-owner of Manchester United is a great honour and comes with great responsibility.
“This marks the completion of the transaction, but just the beginning of our journey to take Manchester United back to the top of English, European, and world football, with world-class facilities for our fans.”
Ratcliffe has agreed to pay US$33 (RM156) per share for a quarter of the Class A shares, as well as paying that price for 25% of the Class B shares held by the Glazer family. Each Class B share confers 10 times as many votes as a Class A share.
Further shares have been issued in return for the initial US$200 million capital investment made by Ratcliffe upon completion of the deal. Ratcliffe will invest a further US$100 million by December 31 and his ownership will then increase to 28.9%.
United co-chairman Joel Glazer said: “I would like to welcome Sir Jim as co-owner and look forward to working closely with him and Ineos Sport to deliver a bright future for Manchester United.”
The billionaire Ratcliffe, who was born in Failsworth in Greater Manchester in October 1952 and says he was “around 10” when he first went to a United match, has been a frequent visitor since the announcement on Christmas Eve that Ineos’ offer had been accepted.
Ratcliffe attended the annual memorial for the Munich air disaster at Old Trafford on February 6.
Sir Dave Brailsford, Ineos’ director of sport, has also been a regular presence around the club and is expected to play a key role as Ineos takes control of football operations.
Changes are already underway at the club and last month United announced the shock appointment of Manchester City’s Omar Berrada as chief executive.
The Red Devils have also been strongly linked with Dan Ashworth, who has left his role as sporting director at Newcastle and been placed on garden leave by the Tyneside club.
The completion of the deal marks the conclusion of a saga that began back in November 2022 when the Glazers announced plans for a strategic review that could include the sale of the club.
Ratcliffe, along with Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim, were the front-runners when it became apparent a full sale would be considered, but the latter withdrew last October.
Ratcliffe’s focus shifted to the purchase of a significant minority stake, which has finally been completed on Tuesday. – February 21, 2024