Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward will be leaving the club at the end of 2021.
Woodward’s departure was announced on Tuesday as the impending European Super League that Manchester United was set to be a part of started to collapse. Manchester United was one of the 12 founding teams of the Super League announced to rival the Champions League, but the proposed league quickly starting losing teams Tuesday amid fan protests.
According to the BBC, Woodward had previously intended to step down at the end of the year and the events of the last 48 hours led to the announcement of that departure.
“I am sure that with the changes we have made on-field and to the coaching and football staff in recent years this great club will soon be lifting silverware again,” Woodward said in a statement on the Manchester United website. “It deserves to.”
“I desperately wanted the club to win the Premier League during my tenure and I am certain the foundations are in place for us to win it back for our passionate fans.
Just before news of Woodward’s departure broke, Manchester City and Chelsea reportedly said they would be leaving the league. City and Chelsea were two of six English Premier League teams that intended to be a part of the league.
Woodward, 49, has been in charge of Manchester United’s operations since 2012. He joined the club in 2007 after he helped the Glazer family become the club’s majority owners.
Woodward was named executive vice chairman after CEO David Gill retired and effectively took over Gill’s role overseeing the club. United’s last Premier League title came in 2013 and the team has won just one FA Cup, one EFL Cup and a Europa League since Woodward became the club’s vice chairman.
“Ed Woodward has served the club with great distinction,” co-chair Joel Glazer said. “On behalf of everyone at United I would like to place on record our sincere thanks for his tireless work and dedication.”
“His contribution to the club has been massive, and he will always be welcome at Old Trafford as a part of the Manchester United family.”
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