Ex Manchester United legend Paul Scholes calls out former club for sacking club legend
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has dropped his clear-cut verdict on Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s decision to axe Sir Alex Ferguson’s ambassadorial contract at the club.
Sir Alex Ferguson is now expected to step down from his role as a Manchester United ambassador at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe met with Ferguson in person and talks went ‘amicably’ well between the pair, with the former United manager agreeing to end his duties.
Ferguson, who retired from management in 2013 after United lifted their last Premier League title, will maintain his club director duties and still attend matches.
Ratcliffe became co-owner of United in 2023 after agreeing a minority stake purchase of the Red Devils, with Ineos taking control of football operations.
The 72-year-old Ineos chief’s move to axe Ferguson from his ambassador role is believed to be part of the club’s approach to cutting costs in different areas.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson pats Paul Scholes on the back at the start of their Barclays Premier League Trophy Parade through Manch…
Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Scholes on Ferguson and Ratcliffe decision
Paul Scholes spent his entire playing career under Sir Alex Ferguson across two different spells and is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of all time.
The 49-year-old Manchester United legend lifted 11 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, three FA Cups and two League Cups under Ferguson.
Scholes was part of the last United team that lifted a Premier League title under former manager Ferguson before retiring for the second time in 2013.
The former United midfielder admitted that it was “tough” to talk about the situation surrounding Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s decision to axe Ferguson from his ambassadorial role.
Scholes added that he felt the move comes off as a “bit disrespectful” and that the Premier League club “owes a lot” to United legend Ferguson.
“It’s a tough one. I felt it was a little bit distasteful for what that man has done for the club,” he said, as per the Metro.
“It’s almost a bit disrespectful. But they’re new owners and new owners make changes.
“They think what they’re doing is best for the club. Now, if they think they can save whatever money it is, I know it’s been talked about £2m I don’t know if that’s correct or what, but if they think they can use that elsewhere then so be it.
“But this club owes a lot to Sir Alex Ferguson. It’s where it is now mainly because of him, the success he had for so many years.”
Scholes disagrees with timing of Ferguson call
Scholes insisted that the publicity surrounding United’s decision wasn’t the best and believed that the Red Devils should have announced the news at a different point.
“Probably the timing of it was a little bit poor as well because you think they’re in a really bad run of form,” he added.
“Could you have waited or done it before the season started or done it at the end of the season? The publicity wasn’t great around it.
“Sir Alex will be fine, he’ll go on, he’ll be the best ambassador this club could ever have.”
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