Man Utd have free run at transfer guru after Liverpool talks collapse

Tom Hancock

• Updated: 24 Mar 2023 12:46 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United appear in a strong position to make Paul Mitchell their new sporting director, after it emerged that the transfer mastermind will not be joining Liverpool.

Mitchell is thought to be the preferred choice of potential new Man Utd owners INEOS, the petrochemicals conglomerate headed up by lifelong United fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The 41-year-old announced this week that he would be leaving his post as sporting director at Monaco, prompting strong speculation of move to Liverpool – but, per the Independent, he is no longer being considered by the Reds.

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Having played professionally in the English lower leagues for the best part of a decade, Mitchell became the first-ever Head of Recruitment at League One outfit MK Dons in 2010.

Less than two years later, he took on the equivalent role at Southampton, where he eventually linked up with Mauricio Pochettino after the Saints’ return to the Premier League.

Mitchell followed Pochettino to Tottenham in November 2014 and helped Spurs sanction transfers for the likes of Son Heung-min, Dele Alli and Kieran Trippier – before announcing in December 2016 that he would be leaving the club, amid reports of a difficult working relationship with chairman Daniel Levy.

'A difficult decision'

After serving as Head of Recruitment and Development with RB Leipzig, Mitchell joined Monaco ahead of the 2020/21 season – having been linked with Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Discussing his decision to quit the eight-time Ligue 1 champions, Mitchell told local newspaper Nice-Matin: “Yes, it was a very difficult decision. I loved my experience at this club. I have always felt a lot of support from President Dmitry Rybolovlev and the Principality [of Monaco].

“But I have spent a lot of time away from home and my loved ones in recent years. I feel that the mission I had, which was to rebuild the sports project, has been fulfilled.”