Former Man Utd CEO Ed Woodward makes SHOCK Premier League return

Tom Weber

Updated: 28 Feb 2025 09:29 CST
3 min read

Ed Woodward, Sir Alex Ferguson, Man Utd — © IMAGO

Former Manchester United CEO Ed Woodward is set to join Crystal Palace minority owner Eagle Football Group, according to a report.

Despite spending a whopping 17 years on the books at Man Utd, Woodward is not fondly remembered by Red Devils supporters. Nicknamed a 'specialist in failure' and frequently the target of protests, Woodward was one of the defining figures in the club's fall from grace.

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Woodward is accused of having steered Man Utd into their post-Sir Alex Ferguson 'banter era' and was viewed as a lackey of the club's hated majority owners, the Glazers, after their disastrous takeover of the club.

The 53-year-old left his role as Man Utd CEO in 2022 and was succeeded by Richard Arnold, who was in turn axed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe when he acquired a stake in the club. Omar Berrada is currently serving in Woodward's erstwhile role.

Woodward returns to football

According to Sky News and L'Equipe, Woodward is set to join the board of Eagle Football Group, which owns Lyon, Molenbeek, Botafogo and a minority stake in Crystal Palace.

Woodward will be tasked with cultivating a relationship with Wall Street as Eagle is set to go on the US Stock Exchange. It therefore seems unlikely that he will directly influence the running of Palace - which is perhaps good news for supporters of the Selhurst Park outfit.

In fact, Eagle boss John Textor has been trying to sell his stake in the Premier League club due to his desire to acquire a majority stake in a different English side. The American launched an unsuccessful bid for Everton before the club's recent Friedkin takeover.

Woodward would be an 'independent director' at Eagle. His appointment isn't entirely set in stone yet, but it seems likely that he will make his nominal return to football before long.