The European Super League idea proved to be a bad one as the clubs lost fans’ support. The fans have played a big part to save the beautiful game from becoming a business venture of wealthy owners. Even though the top people of the food chain of the involved clubs played a significant role to continue with the idea, they are not the ones who take the hit. But when such a disaster happens, someone has to take the blame.
In Manchester United’s case, that was the executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward. After the European Super League plan was halted, he resigned from his post at the end of the 2020-21 season.
But there was speculation about who could take over the role after Woodward’s departure. Even though the Red Devils are yet to announce the new in-charge officially, it is believed that they are looking to make Richard Arnold as Woodward’s successor.
Who is Richard Arnold?
Richard Arnold has been serving as United’s group managing director since 2013. He has worked on many groundbreaking commercial deals that kept the cash flowing for United. His responsibility includes growing the club’s sponsorship business, retail, merchandising, apparel and product licensing business.
Even though the Red Devils team hasn’t lived up to expectations on the pitch after the end of the Sir Alex Ferguson era, they are incredibly successful in business terms. People like Richard Arnold played a significant role in that off the pitch success.
Richard Arnold led the team that developed the partnership with Manchester United’s current jersey sponsors, TeamViewer. Since 2013, he has been involved in such behind the scenes big deals and played a significant role in completing many commercial partnership deals. Due to his success in the commercial sector, he was nominated for SportBusiness International’s Sports innovator of the year list in 2011. The 50-year-old group managing director has also been involved in growing United’s business and building offices in different cities worldwide.
Arnold joined United in the 2007/08 season as commercial director, and his extensive work and achievement in the sector earned him the promotion to group managing director in 2013. Besides his role as Group Managing Director, he also serves as chairman of the Manchester United Foundation.
United’s last investor call, held in September, Arnold revealed they had recently agreed to a “number of extensions across our global partnership portfolio.” He led the foundation to complete contract extensions with Apollo Tyres, wine partner Concha y Toro, Gulf Oil International and TAG Heuer.
Previous Roles
Before joining Manchester United, Arnold filled in as deputy managing director of InterVoice for five years. He was answerable for the global channel deals and marketing division of InterVoice Inc. His work with the firm was recognized by the United Kingdom Institute of Directors, who chose Arnold as a finalist for the Young Director of the Year award in 2004 and 2005.
Between 1999 and 2002, Arnold worked as the company restructurer for Global Crossing Europe Ltd.
His other roles include senior manager (1993 to 1999) for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he worked on the privatization of the Saudi Telecommunications Corporation and the Initial Public Offering of Orange in the United Kingdom.
Richard Arnold Education
Richard completed early education at King’s School, Chester. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Bristol in 1993. Arnold became a Chartered Accountant in 1996.
Richard Arnold Social Media
Here is the link for Richard Arnold’s Linkedin profile:
