Morocco's Omar Berrada Appointed as New CEO of Manchester United

Monday 22 January 2024 - 09:11

Manchester United has appointed Omar Berrada, a football executive of Moroccan descent, as its new Chief Executive Officer. Berrada makes the transition to Old Trafford from cross-town rivals Manchester City, where he previously held the position of Chief Football Operations Officer.

This appointment comes in the wake of the departure of Richard Arnold, who stepped down from the CEO role late last year, just before Sir Jim Ratcliffe secured approval for a 25% investment stake in the club.

Berrada brings a wealth of experience in football business, accumulating over 15 years in key leadership roles at esteemed clubs such as FC Barcelona and, most recently, Manchester City. His journey began in 2004 when he assumed the role of Head of Sponsorship at Barcelona, leveraging his strong business background.

During his tenure at City, Berrada played a pivotal role in driving both on- and off-field success as part of the City Football Group consortium. He oversaw football operations across City and affiliated clubs, including Girona FC and New York City FC.

Born in Paris to Moroccan parents, Berrada boasts an eclectic background, blending American schooling with studies at the EU Business School. This diverse foundation equipped him for roles managing partnerships, sales, and commercial activities at City before rising to the position of Chief Operating Officer in 2016.

With his appointment, Manchester United aims for Berrada to work his magic in restoring the club's status as title contenders. The club expressed its commitment, stating, "Football and on-pitch performance will be at the heart of everything we do," with Berrada serving as the first step on this transformative "journey."

Initially, there were expectations that Jean-Claude Blanc, representing INEOS, might assume the CEO role. However, Berrada's well-rounded expertise ultimately made him the outstanding choice to lead Manchester United into a new era.