Manchester United are set to name City Football Group’s chief football operations officer Omar Berrada as their new chief executive.
Berrada has developed a huge reputation at CFG, initially as Manchester City’s commercial director.
He then became chief operating officer before moving into the chief football operations officer role.
United have been looking for a new chief executive to replace Richard Arnold, who stepped aside in November.
It had initially been thought Jean Claude Blanc, who was named as one of the Ineos representatives on the United football club board following their successful bid for 25% of the club, would take on the role.
However, it was subsequently decided to go for a different option.
Berrada’s expertise across football is viewed as a major asset.
United’s head of legal Patrick Stewart has stepped in for Arnold on an interim basis, but that was never intended to become a permanent arrangement.
A City statement read: “Manchester City Football Club can confirm that Omar Berrada has resigned from his role as chief football operations officer at City Football Group.
“The club understands his decision to look for a new challenge and he leaves with our thanks and best wishes.”
It is understood Berrada will start in his new role in the summer, with the circumstances around his exit being described as amicable.
Sport has been told Berrada agonised over his decision before making the move given the relative state of the two clubs.
For their part, City believe the fact United have come after one of their senior executives underlines their status as one of the best run of all the big clubs across Europe. They are confident their current executive team, led by chief executive Ferran Soriano will continue unhindered by Berrada’s exit.
