Sir Jim Ratcliffe is determined to transform Manchester United, and he doesn’t care who gets upset while he makes big changes.
This summer, the billionaire owner of INEOS is making significant changes, and Erik ten Hag isn’t the only person who might lose his job. An email sent on Tuesday to every employee who wasn’t in charge of scouting or the first squad revealed that United was luring people away from the team by promising them a bonus in advance.
Ratcliffe is in a frantic attempt to streamline operations by cutting workers, as the club posted record revenues but lost £28.7 million in their most recent financial statements. In addition, he has invited some of his employees to accept a salary cut in exchange for leaving, even as he encourages them to return to the office.
The email states: “Although many have embraced our new approach, we are aware that a few of colleagues would prefer not to commit to this new style of working and are eager to understand their choices,” as The Guardian reports.
AVOID SCRAPTING REPLAYS! Sign our petition to preserve the FA Cup’s magic!
Sir Jim Ratcliffe establishes a deadline and gives Man Utd employees a bonus if they RESIGN.
INEOS given deadline by UEFA as Man Utd face being relegated from Europa League “With this feedback in mind and the fact that we respect each colleague’s right to choose their approach to work, we will allow those who wish to resign now to claim their bonus early for this season if they cannot work from our offices from 1 June.”
Although United has maintained that this action “isn’t a voluntary redundancy campaign,” some will find the email offensive and may view Ratcliffe as less than sympathetic. The 71-year-old, who Forbes estimates is worth £12.85 billion, has a history of displaying his ruthlessness and willingness to go to great lengths to save money.
Employees will have to cover their own transport costs to and from Wembley for the FA Cup final, according to documents that were leaked earlier this year. This decision, which followed another complaint about the condition of the facilities at Old Trafford, proved to be quite controversial.
Ratcliffe Jim
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is cutting back on Manchester United employees. (Photo: PA)
Ratcliffe wrote in intercepted conversations that he was shown a “disgrace” at the facilities and that the standards at INEOS “would not come close.” Considering his public remarks and his athletic background, his remarks were hardly shocking.
Following the October speech by Mercedes team principal Tofo Wolflf, United should have known what to anticipate. He responded, “This is a no bull**** organisation,” when questioned about Ratcliffe, who holds a 33 percent stake in the Formula One team. “They have enormous sales and profits. Quick decisions are made; three bullet points on a page, and then it’s “here we go.” Jim is the one who cuts out all the bullshit.
