Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe made a huge call involving former Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Manchester United fans couldn’t hold back their feelings after Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe made a huge call involving former Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down as Manchester United manager in 2013 after he led the Red Devils to their last Premier League title in the 2012-13 campaign.
The 82-year-old Scotsman has held a club ambassador and director role since his retirement from football, with Ferguson an ever-present figure at Old Trafford.
Ferguson’s duties for United post-management were recorded on the club’s 2014 accounts, which showed the Scot had received £2.16m for his duties.
However, it is now believed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has dropped the axe on one of Ferguson’s roles that he has held for over a decade now at the club.
According to The Athletic, Ratcliffe had met with Ferguson in a face-to-face meeting and told the United legend that he would no longer be receiving payments.
The 71-year-old United co-owner is believed to be keen on cutting down costs at Old Trafford, with Ferguson’s ambassadorial contract falling under that remit.
The Athletic reported that Ratcliffe and Ferguson’s in-person meeting ended ‘amicably,’ with the ex-United boss committing to his non-executive director role.
But Ferguson will no longer secure payments from the Premier League club after the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
Sir Dave Brailsford, Air Alex Fergsuon, Jim Ratcliffe and Avram Glazer look on during the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Manchester City and M…
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Man Utd fans react to Ratcliffe and Ferguson news
Manchester United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, were left deeply divided at Sir Alex Ferguson being dropped from his ambassador role.
However, there were Red Devils supporters who welcomed the decision with open arms, with some United fans saying Sir Jim Ratcliffe made the right call.
“He has done enough for the club. It is time to retire,” one fan said.
Someone else added: “I’m sure people will have divided opinions but I’d say that’s a very good move. The club needs to continue moving on and I don’t think ties to Sir Alex outside of him being a fan are particularly helpful these days.”
A third wrote: “About time, Sir Alex will always be a legend but club needs to move on from him in these type of situations and he should also be allowed to peacefully go to games to rest and enjoy his retirement.”
Another X user tweeted: “Look, I love Sir Alex with all my heart and I’ll never ever, ever, ever say a bad word about him. But this just shows how bad the previous regime was. Paying Sir Alex a manager-like wage when [he] retired is a farce – it really is. So well done to Ineos for doing this.”
“I love Fergie to death but this is overdue,” a fifth posted.
Somebody else claimed: “This is crazy but necessary; we will always love our dad Fergie but no need to pay him a salary.”
And a seventh simply said: “No problem with that. Sir Alex has more than done his due already.”
Furious Red Devils fans slam Ratcliffe’s Ferguson decision
United fans flocked to social media and were left furious with how Ferguson had been dropped from his role, despite his legendary impact at the club.
One Red Devils supporter questioned if Ratcliffe and Ineos “know what they are doing,” while another United fan mourned the “loss of legacy” at Old Trafford.
One fan said: “Unnecessary unless there is something deeper to it.”
Someone else wrote: “F*****g hell, they’re ruthless.”
A third posted: “I sincerely hope Ineos know what they are doing. This is a big, big decision. Wow. Was it really needed?”
“They should not have done this… I mean, they could have reduced the annual payment,” another commented.
A fifth tweeted: “It’s surprising to see such a significant change regarding Sir Alex. While cost-cutting is necessary, it feels like a loss of legacy.”
While a sixth claimed: “Worst PR decision ever. This will further infuriate fans and cause greater divide from [the] club.”
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