Man Utd bombshell: Ratcliffe to sell sister club Nice

Tom Weber

Updated: 7 Jun 2024 19:44 BST
4 min read

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Jean-Clair Todibo, Nice — © IMAGO

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking to sell affiliate club Nice, according to a report.

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The INEOS supremo achieved a lifelong dream of securing control of boyhood club Man Utd after previously investing in Swiss side Lausanne and French club Nice.

Ratcliffe's INEOS purchased Nice in 2019, but the ambitious goals initially set have not been attained. Though Nice are coming off a solid enough season, looking like title challengers early on before ultimately collapsing and slipping down to fifth, the club are expected to aim higher than just Europa League qualification.

Indeed, this Europa League qualification is now leading to problems. UEFA does not permit clubs with the same ownership to compete in the same tournament. Man Utd, thanks to winning the FA Cup against Man City, will also feature in Europe's second competition next term.

The Independent now reports that, as a result, INEOS are looking to get out of Nice to avoid complications in the future.

© IMAGO - INEOS chiefs Sir Dave Brailsford and Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Ratcliffe to sell Nice

UEFA are expected to give INEOS a one-season transitional period and place Nice in a 'blind trust,' acting as an exemption to the rule, which is the same workaround that permitted Red Bird-owned AC Milan and Toulouse to play in Europe last term.

This, as the report states, is just a one-season measure and INEOS would face complications in the future should this situation occur again, with UEFA set to enforce the rules more stringently starting in 2026.

Ratcliffe, having managed to attain control of Man Utd, is now looking to get out of Nice so as to be able to fully focus on the Old Trafford side. Talks, it is claimed, are still at an early stage and the collapse of Ligue 1's TV market could yet pose a major problem for any potential takeover.

This comes after the news in French media that Man Utd could potentially raid Nice for Jean-Clair Todibo and Khephren Thuram at a cut-price this summer, news that will certainly infuriate supporters further.

Nice's late-season collapse saw fans voice their disillusionment and sporting director Florent Ghisolfi recently quit reportedly due to being fed up with the lack of ambition shown by INEOS. Head coach Francesco Farioli has also left the club, joining Ajax, and been replaced with Lens coach Franck Haise.