EXCLUSIVE: Paul Mitchell wants Man Utd role as club make former Monaco chief prime candidate

Jacque Talbot

• 20 Oct 2023 08:20 CDT
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Manchester United have primed Paul Mitchell to be their next sporting director while the former Monaco chief is eager to take on the role, FootballTransfers is told.

We understand that Mitchell, a boyhood fan of the club, has wanted the job for years - however, there is a concern with the ineptitude from the current crop of Man Utd hierarchy that it may impact him and his decision.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe appears to be closing in on a stake at the club and part of his offer entails the Ineos founder to have a large say in football operations. Ratcliffe, who resides in Monaco, is a fan of Mitchell and the billionaire sees is compatriot as the ideal man to lead the club forward. Both men were born within an eight-mile radius of each other in east Manchester.

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Indeed, there is a feeling that if Ratcliffe's move to take 25 per cent of Man Utd is concluded, then Mitchell will be granted a role with the Red Devils heading the club's recruitment in tandem with Erik ten Hag.

However, there is a race against time: if the process takes too long then the club run the risk of Mitchell going elsewhere. Other elite sides will be ready and waiting to bring in the esteemed sporting director - though it's believed that Liverpool, and in particular, Jurgen Klopp, are not fans of the 42-year-old.

READ: Premier League managers: Full list of current bosses as Ten Hag is questioned

Will Sir Jim Ratcliffe take over Man Utd?

A board meeting was held on Thursday to decide the outcome of whether Ratcliffe will be able to claim a stake in Man Utd. The Brit wants to eventually take over the club in its entirety. But if the process takes longer than necessary and continues the takeover saga's running trend of being protracted then Mitchell will listen to offer offers.

Mitchell recently moved back to the north-west following his time at Monaco in preparation for a possible role in the region, most preferably at Man Utd.