Since joining Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made a number of cruel decisions behind closed doors. One of the Red Devils’ current coaches has provided insight into the INEOS owner.
Benni McCarthy, Jim Ratcliffe’s outgoing coach, has disclosed that all of his Manchester United employees already know him by first name.
In December, the owner of INEOS reached an agreement to acquire control of the football division of the club for £1.3 billion. He has already made an effort to become acclimated to the staff and get his feet under the table.
The personnel at Carrington and Old Trafford have been introduced to Ratcliffe. Benni McCarthy, coach of the Strikers, made a suggestion that he was surprised by the 71-year-old’s depth of knowledge regarding the individuals under his care.
“I met him [Ratcliffe] a few times because he’s very often at the training ground at Carrington, making waves, getting to know the people that work for the club, trying to help rebuild the club back to where it’s supposed to be at the top,” the former Blackburn star said in an interview with 947 Johannesburg.
“They frequently visit the club. He’s a really kind man, and the most surprising thing, I think, is that he appears to know everyone by name. During your conversation, he addresses you by name. That strikes me as impressive.
“It’s quite refreshing that, for a billionaire, he doesn’t have to bother learning my name or the names of any of the employees if you’re not the manager. They treat their employees with such respect, which I found to be a very kind gesture. Benni, is everything alright? How do you feel about this? It’s simply pleasant.”
Ratcliffe has already gotten to know his employees, but during his tenure at Man United, the owner of INEOS has had to make some difficult choices. Some have already been urged to resign by him if they do not wish to resume their office jobs.
Benni McCarthy looks set to leave Man United ( Image: Getty Images)
McCarthy might also get over himself. The South African has not yet received an offer to extend his contract, which expires this summer.
Since joining the coaching staff of the club in the summer of 2022, he has gained the respect of the players. “My time here, if it is the end, like my contract is coming to an end now in June, and if the club wants me to continue and in the role that I have, I will be grateful and it will be amazing,” McCarthy said in response to a question about his future.
“However long it would take the club to want me to stay, I would miss having to wait another year or two.”
McCarthy has not yet disclosed his next move, but he did make a suggestion that he would be willing to assume leadership of South African powerhouse Kaizer Chiefs.
