INEOS considering shock appointment of new sporting director | OneFootball

INEOS considering shock appointment of new sporting director | OneFootball

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The Peoples Person

·6 January 2026

INEOS considering shock appointment of new sporting director

Article image:INEOS considering shock appointment of new sporting director

Manchester United have once again been plunged into a state of chaos after INEOS decided to wield the axe on Ruben Amorim’s time as head coach.

Starting from Scratch

The 40-year-old tactician, hired from Sporting CP after re-establishing the Lions to the summit of Portuguese football, was supposed to lead INEOS’s revolution at Old Trafford.


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Instead, he fell victim to the same rotation of misery as his predecessor Erik ten Hag, and his predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and his predecessor Jose Mour…okay we get it.

The explosive fallout from yesterday’s decision to sack Amorim is still spilling out of the club today. Conflicting claims of broken promises and vicious disagreements are dominating the headlines, just six months on from a summer of optimism and harmony.

For the situation to have gone south so quickly is a reflection of the pressure cooker that is the Theatre of Dreams, too often a playhouse of nightmares for the man in the dugout.

Amorim’s record – a 31.9% win percentage with the lowest points per game of any United manager in the Premier League era – speaks for itself. There will be few jumping to the defence of a coach who too often prioritised the defence over the attack, a cardinal sin for anyone in charge of the Red Devils.

Ruben Amorim Managerial Stats

But to solely attribute blame for the slow-motion car crash which has engulfed United over the past 14 months to Amorim would be myopic.

The real architects of United’s downfall in the last two years are INEOS, and the “best-in-class” executive structure hired to lead the football operation, with sporting director Jason Wilcox chief amongst them.

It makes sense, therefore, that Sir Jim Ratcliffe – as culpable as anyone in United’s malaise- is considering boardroom changes to help improve the situation off the pitch, and produce better results on it.

A New Sporting Director

Romain Molina reveals INEOS are “in favour” of appointing a new sporting director – a direct challenge to Wilcox’s position at the club.

The Guardian journalist states it is not clear whether this new hire “means Jason Wilcox will be leaving or whether they will work together”.

Wilcox has previously spoken about his pride at his role with United, revealing he hoped he was given the time to help turn the club around after being promoted to the position following Dan Ashworth’s dismissal.

But it appears Ratcliffe may be ready to make yet another ruthless decision at Old Trafford with his scythe seemingly unsatisfied with just claiming Amorim’s neck.

Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images


The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

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