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Ed Woodward Could Stay At Manchester United After All, This Won’t Go Down Well

Ed Woodward Could Stay At Manchester United After All, This Won’t Go Down Well

The controversial executive vice chairman could stay involved with the club after he steps down from his position at the end of the year.

James Hilsum

James Hilsum

Ed Woodward could be in line to stay at Old Trafford after he steps down from the role of executive vice chairman at the end of this year.

The Daily Mail reports that Woodward could still have an influence at the club following his departure, in the form of a controversial consultancy role.

Woodward became executive vice chairman of the club in 2012, but has been heavily criticised in the role following Manchester United's fall from grace since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement a year later.

The club's heavy outlay in the transfer market with little success has been a big stick to beat Woodward with, as the club have not come close to challenging for the Premier League title since Ferguson's departure.

The ill-fated reigns of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho increased the scrutiny on Woodward, as the club struggled to keep their place among English football's elite.

PA: Ed Woodward with Avram and Joel Glazer.
PA: Ed Woodward with Avram and Joel Glazer.

He also played a big role in leveraging the Glazers' purchase of the club in 2005, which added to his unpopularity in many fans' eyes.

It is not uncommon for a departing chief executive to maintain close ties with a company, but any future involvement from Woodward is likely to be on advisory rather than a daily hands-on basis.

Richard Arnold currently serves as group managing director and is being strongly tipped to take over from Woodward, but there is yet to be an official announcement confirming the news.

PA: Manchester United were beaten by Manchester City on Saturday.
PA: Manchester United were beaten by Manchester City on Saturday.

The Red Devils' struggles on the pitch have continued in recent weeks, following abject performance in a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.

They are currently nine points adrift of league leaders Chelsea and are already out of the Carabao Cup following a third-round exit at the hands of West Ham United.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are also labouring in a relatively kind Champions League group, and their qualification for the knockout stages remains in the balance.

They return to action after the international break with a match away at Watford on 20th November.

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Topics: ed woodward, Manchester United, Premier League, Old Trafford