MANCHESTER UNITED LOOK set to appoint a first-ever technical director — with Mike Phelan the man to take the reins, according to reports.
The 56-year-old has been Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s right-hand man since he took charge last December, and it’s a post he also held for five years under Sir Alex Ferguson.
But the Daily Mail and the Telegraph are reporting that things may now change slightly following talks with United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, with input from the Norwegian manager who took over on a permanent basis last month.
Phelan, a highly-respected figure at Carrington and Old Trafford, could now oversee the club’s rebuilding job with a permanent position similar to his own at Central Coast Mariners (sporting director) in the pipeline.
While he’s keen to keep an influence on match days with the first-team, United hope to widen his brief with a lot of that funneled towards rebuilding the club and working towards the future.
The possible internal shuffle would also see ex-player Michael Carrick take up a new role, promoted from first-team coach to assistant manager, while Fermanagh native Kieran McKenna may also get new terms.
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So a technical director whose previous experience in the role was in Australia and a manager whose previous experience was mostly in Norway. Hmmm…
@Keith McCarthy: it’s getting better by the day.
@Keith McCarthy: funny Kevin but they have 33 years of Manchester Utd experience between them so Hmmmmm
@David Weston: how’s that worked out for them the last while? Apologising for performances last I seen
@Keith McCarthy: most sporting directors/directors of football have zero experience in that role when they assume it.
@themansam: Sam so not the man ! They are only in the job 4mths as you know
@David Weston: utd need a football director to help the manager. So its a step in the right direction thats all
@Chris Tobin: of course it is , a decent appointment.
@themansam: well at least they take responsibility for a poor showing an don’t blame the wind etc …
@David Weston: but what about the 33 years blah blah?
@David Weston: Ole should be given a life time contract. To lose 6 in 8 games is some achievement at a club like United and with City and Chelsea next up, it doesn’t look like getting better anytime soon. What a mess that club is in. More of a chance of Brighton taking points off City on the final day than United Wednesday night. They haven’t a hope in hell.
@Flaming Mo: Off you fk Luke.
@David Weston: hahaha is that honestly the best you can come up with? You support one of the biggest clubs in the world & that’s all you can say. Thanks for the compliment bud
@Chris Tobin: but wasn’t phelan doing exactly that Chris ? Helping the gaffer . I think they should have left that partnership be as it is , employ a director like for e.g. Muelenstein etc
@Flaming Mo: Liverpool were in worse shape…for the last 25 years lol
Unusual appointments really , united have a manager (ole) who relegated Cardiff , and an assistant( phelan) who was sacked by hull city after 3 months in charge , after steve Bruce left after getting them promoted , . Sometimes sentiment is the last thing a club needs when the club is not going well . Surely they could come up with better appointments in these crucial decisions .
It’s a brilliant appointment. A man who knows the type of player that will come with the Utd DNA.
No more Fellainis, No more Di Maria’s, No more Matic’s and Alexis Sanchez’s.
It will be Fergie type signings – Declan Rice, Jadon Sancho, Zaha etc
@Stanley Baggins:
I had completely forgot about Sanchez until you just mentioned him in your post. Just goes to show how good he’s been. Hopefully he’ll be on the same flight as Pogba in the summer.
@Stanley Baggins: Zaha? The same Zaha Ferguson bought and ended up leaving the club after getting little to no game time
@Craig O’Dwyer: fergie bought him, Moyes sold him