Manchester United are to bring a slice of Old Trafford to west London.
The club have left their previous capital office in Mayfair ahead of the opening of new premises in Kensington next month and Agenda understands the centrepiece of the swanky, top-floor facility will be an eye-catching ‘tunnel’, which staff and clients walk through to get to meeting rooms.
The corridor is made up of wraparound LED screens, so officials can recreate the feeling of walking through the players’ tunnel at the club’s famous stadium.
United insiders say the offices are aimed at the commercial side of the business, helping increase revenues that can go towards the priority under new stakeholder Ineos, which is success on the field. They may also be used to wow new signings.
The tunnel can be tailored to impress potential sponsors and show how their branding would look at Old Trafford or on United’s shirts. Visitors can also make use of two bars in the building, one inside and one on the roof.
Man United are to bring a slice of Old Trafford to west London when their new office opens
United insiders say the offices are aimed at the commercial side of the business
Clash in Manchester
Looks like they made it hard for themselves around the Etihad Stadium after it was announced Barry Manilow will perform at the adjacent Co-Op Live Arena on the evening of the final day of the Premier League season.
The American singer, 80, will play to a sell-out 23,500 at the £365million venue at 6.30pm on May 19.
Last season’s final day games kicked off at 4.30pm and how officials manage the influx of ‘Fanilows’ when Pep Guardiola’s men could be lifting the title just yards away remains to be seen.
Barry Manilow will perform at the adjacent Co-Op Live Arena on the evening of the final day of the Premier League season
Profit and sustainability chaos to continue
The carnage ushered in by the Premier League’s ludicrous profit and sustainability rules is set to continue this summer.
June 30 is the last date of the financial reporting year and is being seen by some as an unofficial transfer deadline day.
That means clubs such as Chelsea, Newcastle and Manchester United may be at the forefront of activity as they seek to ship players out to comply.
One major issue is that the date falls in the middle of both the Euros and the Copa America. Indeed, the chances of the likes of England coach Gareth Southgate permitting players to leave camp midway through a major tournament is between slim and zero, with fresh points deductions a serious probability.
Clubs such as Chelsea, Newcastle and Manchester United may be at the forefront of Premier League’s ludicrous profit and sustainability rules this summer
Gareth Southgate permitting players to leave camp midway through a tournament is unlikely
WHY NON LEAGUE CLUBS FEAR WORST OVER NEW REGULATOR
Panicked National League clubs believe a new independent football regulator, meant to help out clubs lower down the pecking order, could actually put some out of business.
Such is the concern that a letter has been sent to the Prime Minister demanding legislation, to be introduced to Parliament next week, be paused.
Last week, clubs caught sight of the proposals for the first time and alarm bells started to ring over a tax that would cover legal costs in the event that another club issues a challenge against the regulator.
In theory, it means the likes of part-time Maidenhead United could be forced to foot a bill to cover a challenge from a giant such as a Manchester City, although the Department for Culture, Media & Sport say it would be proportionate.
National League clubs believe a new independent football regulator could put some out of business
Clubs also feel stringent ownership rules would prevent the likelihood of another Hollywood takeover such as at Wrexham, whose owners have wilfully lost around £10million in transforming the club.
Meanwhile, Rochdale chairman Simon Gauge last week said his club, which spent 102 years in the Football League before last season’s relegation, could fold should it not find an investor by March.
He added a lifeline — the sale of a player to a Premier League club — had been lost after the buyer was spooked by Everton’s 10-point deduction and Nottingham Forest’s charges.
Victims of this lunacy are clearly not limited to the top-flight.
NEW APPOINTMENT AT LEEDS
Leeds United continue to strengthen off the field after their takeover by 49ers Enterprises.
The Championship promotion chasers will soon appoint Liverpool’s Martin Dingle as academy manager, following the arrival of Jordan Miles as head of recruitment from Aberdeen this month.
FIGHT TO TAKE CHARGE OF IOC
With UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin declaring he will not seek an extended term of office — despite changing the constitution to allow it — all eyes turn to International Olympic Committee counterpart Thomas Bach, who is being urged by supporters to go for four more years in 2025.
Such a move would require a change of IOC statutes and while there are suspicions Ceferin could reverse his decision, Bach is also making noises that he will not run.
It is suspected he will test the pain threshold of how negative media coverage is when the IOC vote to change their constitution in July, before reaching a final decision.
Bach’s main opponent, Lord Sebastian Coe, is going about his campaign under the radar and is ready to declare his candidacy.
IOC president Thomas Bach is being urged by supporters to go for four more years in 2025
EYEBROWS RAISED IN LEICESTER
Eyebrows have been raised over the price of tickets for a dinner with Leicester manager Enzo Maresca and Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague.
To attend an ‘Evening of VIP Networking’ you must pay £250, plus a £17.50 booking fee, for the bash at Leicester’s Chutney Ivy. Proceeds for the event, which includes a Leicester City auction, go to non-League Biggleswade United, of whom Balague is chairman.
