Sir Jim Ratcliffe will soon finalize the purchase of a 25 percent stake in Manchester United. He will then commence an immediate restructuring of their technical department.



When Erik ten Hag first came at United a year ago, he found a disjointed team with no cohesion. Coaches with varying levels of experience and playing styles have come and gone. This has left the club with a selection of players with varying styles.



Most teams wouldn’t have let this kind of transfer policy mismatch happen. However, Manchester United have invited incompetence in a manner that is scarcely believable. Neither the Glazers nor anybody else in authority over the last decade has made a noticeable positive impact.



Since Ferguson’s departure in 2013, the Old Trafford side have spent over $1.25 billion with nothing to show for it. This has only led to rumors that their sports director, John Murtough, may be in danger of losing his position.



Chief executive Richard Arnold’s impending departure was made official earlier this week. British billionaire Ratcliffe is already <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/ratcliffe-open-to-sacrificing-star-midfielder-to-fund-january-moves-20231116-WST-470569.html">preparing to make more changes.</a>



Since joining United in 2007, Arnold has been an integral part of the club’s financial success. As Ed Woodward left his position as executive vice chairman in February 2022, he was given the role of CEO.



<h2>Ratcliffe lines up UCL-expert Maldini as new Man United sporting director</h2>



The English tycoon has more layoffs up his sleeve. According to reports, now that he will take control of sporting operations, he wants to hire a new sporting director.



Despite United spending around $500 million under <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/ten-hag-reveals-man-utd-players-thoughts-on-sir-jim-ratcliffe-20231029-WST-465752.html">Erik ten Hag</a>, Ratcliffe reportedly isn’t happy with the Red Devils’ progress. <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/11/16/sir-alex-ferguson-guide-sir-jim-ratcliffe-manchester-united/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Telegraph</a> reports that as a result, the 71-year-old contemplating hiring AC Milan great Paolo Maldini as Manchester United’s new sports director.



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/maldini-in-talks-for-saudi-job-following-departure-from-ac-milan-20231111-WST-469360.html">Maldini</a>, who is most renowned for his fantastic playing career as a defender, moved up in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ac-milan-tv-schedule">AC Milan</a> organization in 2018 and became the club’s technical director the following year.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="822" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231118_WST_471232_imago1034666171h-1200x822.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=822" alt="" class="wp-image-471277" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/imago1034666171h-1200x822.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/imago1034666171h-300x206.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/imago1034666171h-768x526.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/imago1034666171h-1536x1052.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/imago1034666171h.jpg 1728w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Sir Jim Ratcliffe is intent on using his influence and imminent power at Old Trafford to rebuild the club</figcaption></figure>



He was pivotal in the Rossoneri’s 2021-22 Serie A title, ending a decade without domestic success. The now 55-year-old was also essential in the Italians’ transition from an aging team to a younger, more talented one.



The former Azzurri stalwart had a well-defined transfer policy in place for his whole tenure as technical director, and the majority of his acquisitions paid off. He oversaw Milan’s acquisition of Rafael Leao, Theo Hernandez, Sandro Tonali, and Fikayo Tomori during his first years on the job.



All of these youngsters ended up being solid additions, thus it was clear that they were all worth signing. The legendary defender left his position as technical director at San Siro this June.



<h2>Who are the other candidates?</h2>



The article claims that Maldini is one of many candidates being considered for a transfer to Old Trafford, but the Italian defender would welcome the opportunity to work in the Premier League. 



Crystal Palace’s sports director Dougie Freedman is one of the frontrunners, with the support of legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.



Lee Congerton of Atalanta and Andrea Berta of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/atletico-madrid-tv-schedule/">Atletico Madrid</a> are also possible candidates. The new sporting director may not be ready to start working by the January transfer window, but Ratcliffe will want them in place and established by the summer of 2024.



Photo credits: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire : IMAGO / Sportsphoto

Five-time UCL winner lined up for major role at Man United

After Jim Ratcliffe finally arrives at Man United, the club will look to add a new sporting director with UCL experience

<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/italia.png"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/italia.png"></a></figure></div>
The Italian national team has been blessed across generations with having some of the best centre-backs to ever grace the game. The list of names stretches back through the decades but in the past twenty years the obvious leaders would have to be Milan trio Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini (started as left-back but finished his career as a central defender) and Alessandro Nesta. One other name to be added would be Fabio Cannavaro’s who captained the Azzurri to the World Cup 2006 triumph.
Those four defenders have left their mark on Italian football and the ‘school’ of defense with their assured performances, pragmatic approach, great leadership and longevity. With Baresi and Maldini already retired, the torch was passed to active duo Nesta and Cannavaro. Unfortunately time has caught up with Cannavaro who is having&nbsp; one of his worst seasons as a professional. He has struggled since returning to Juventus and his performances have left a lot to be desired with teammates Gianluigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini often masquerading his shortcomings.
As for Nesta, he has suffered from injuries which limited him to just 13 minutes last season but he has been one of the pleasant stories of Serie A this season with his composed displays and his flawless marshaling of the Milan defensive line. In fact, there are growing voices calling for his recall to the Azzurri and at this stage he would be a more reliable defender than the declining Cannavaro.
The only other established centre-back who could lay claim to the title of the Azzurri’s future anchorman and leader in the back-line is Giorgio Chiellini. The Juventus defender has performed admirably for his side since his switch from left-back to a central defender a few years ago. He has also been a solid performer for the Azzurri with his display against Spain in Euro 2008 a notable one. He was a consistent player throughout the tournament and to think he kept David&nbsp;Villa and Fernando Torres scoreless only serves as a testament to his ability.
Andrea Barzagli was at one point considered as a future star for the Azzurri but he failed to hold down a spot as a starter and performed miserably against the Netherlands in Euro 2008. He has not featured for Italy since 2008 and it is unlikely he will play again for the Azzurri.
Of the upcoming youngsters, two players tipped for success are Andrea Ranocchia and Leonardo Bonucci with both defenders wearing the Bari shirt this season but heavily linked with transfers to some of the elite clubs such as Juventus. It is too early to judge if they will be a success considering they have not played for a big club and have yet to represent the Italian national team with Ranocchia only playing for the Under-21s.
Even when the giants such as Baresi and Maldini graced Serie A, there were other capable centre-backs who probably&nbsp;would have been much more appreciated if they were playing in a different time. Such players include Ciro Ferrara (the Coach sacked by Juve), Giuseppe Bergomi (over 80 caps for Italy and won the World Cup in 1982), Alessandro Costacurta,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Pietro Vierchowod (also a World Cup winner in 1982). All&nbsp;four played for the Azzurri at least on 45 occasions and would have played much more if their time did not coincide with that of Baresi and Maldini.
In 2009, Coach Marcello Lippi&nbsp;relied on Cannavaro along with Chiellini to shore up the Azzurri defense while the bench&nbsp;often included&nbsp;Juve reserve Nicola Legrottaglie and Fiorentina centre-back Alessandro Gamberini as other options. One defender who can perhaps play at centre-back is Domenico Criscito yet he impressed more in the left-back position. Inter full-back Davide Santon can play either as a right-back or on the left flank but he is not a viable option as centre-back.
There are clearly options for the full-back positions yet sadly it seems the nation once renowned for producing central defenders&nbsp;does not have any quality centre-backs&nbsp;other than&nbsp;Chiellini who can carry on with the tradition.
<a href="http:\/\/answers.polldaddy.com/poll/2693699/">Any top quality Italian centre-backs besides Chiellini?</a>(<a href="http:\/\/answers.polldaddy.com">polling</a>)

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Leagues: EPL

Five-time UCL winner lined up for major role at Man United

Italy

Who Will Anchor The Azzurri Defense?