Mercedes boss Wolff gives X-RATED assessment of Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Robin Bairner

21 Oct 2023 09:46 BST
4 min read

Toto Wolff has spoken about Sir Jim Ratcliffe taking over at Man Utd — © ProShots

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will bring a “no bull****” approach to Manchester United when he completes a minority purchase of the club, according to Toto Wolff, the CEO of the Mercedes Petronas F1 team.

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Wolff and Ratcliffe have a strong working relationship in Formula 1, with Ineos the principal partner of Mercedes in the sport as well as a one-third shareholder in the team.

MORE: When will Jim Ratcliffe complete his minority takeover of Man Utd?

The Austrian is, therefore, well placed to comment on the changes that Manchester United fans might expect when the Englishman, who also owns Ligue 1 side Nice and Swiss club Lausanne, might transform the Old Trafford club in the coming months.

Ratcliffe is widely expected to complete a 25% purchase of Man Utd, worth around £1.4 billion, from the Glazer brothers and is set to assume control over key areas of the club, such as decision-making in the sporting realm.

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© ProShots - Sir Jim Ratcliffe is expected to buy 25% in Man Utd

Toto Wolff on Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s impact at Man Utd

Wolff, speaking after qualifying for the US Grand Prix, told Sky Sports that Red Devils can expect their new leader to have a transformative effect on the team.

“Jim and his partners, Andy Currie and John Reece, they are first of all very complimentary. This is a no sh*t organisation. They are huge in terms of revenue and profit, and decisions are being made quickly, three bullet points on a page and here we go,” he explained.

“With Jim, all the bulls**t is cut out. I think wherever he gets his power and his resource and character behind it, that’s going to be an add on for any team.

“He’s a Manchester boy, he has the resources that are needed, the heart’s in the right place and I’m sure that he can be very creative for Manchester United and with us he’s been a fantastic shareholder, good sounding board and sparring partner for myself.”

This is a no sh*t organisation

- Toto Wolff

Ratcliffe has shown his willingness to change Man Utd’s approach in previous interviews.

In 2019, the criticised the club’s recruitment record when speaking to The Times, stating: “Ineos never wants to be the dumb money in town, never, never. United haven't got the manager selection right, haven't bought well. They have been the dumb money, which you see with players like Fred. We won't look elsewhere until we have had a good run here at Nice. We need to find out how to be successful before you ever want to write a big cheque. It's quite difficult.”

Man Utd are presently 10th in the Premier League table, having lost four of their eight matches.