New Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada has addressed fans for the first time since starting work in his role, having left his job at Manchester City in order to join the club.
City headhunted Berrada in 2011 to take charge of international development, before becoming chief operating officer in 2016. Four years later, he was promoted to the same role with the City Football Group, responsible for all 12 clubs under that umbrella.
United announced the appointment of the Paris-born executive in January, serving out his notice at City on gardening leave and eventually arriving at Old Trafford last month.
Berrada reports to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family but otherwise heads up the day to day running of the club, both in a business and sporting sense. Speaking directly to fans in a column in the matchday programme for the season opener against Fulham, he said there was never a moment’s doubt about joining United for this new chapter in their storied history.
“When I was invited to join Manchester United late last year, I didn’t hesitate,” Berrada explained.
“As a child growing up my first memory of the club was my father telling me stories of legendary players like Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best and many others.
“It is impossible not to be aware of the weight of history. From the tragedy of Munich to the triumph at Wembley 10 years later, I am honoured to be part of a place where overcoming the greatest adversities and rising again to the greatest glories is in our DNA.
“That glorious history speaks for itself. When I walked through the doors for the first time last month, I was immediately struck by the enormity of the club and what it means to our fans here in Manchester and all over the world. I think it’s impossible to understand how big Manchester United really is until you’re on the inside. That’s one advantage all of you have had over me, but I’m catching up and I feel it more and more every day. It is a very easy place to fall in love with.”
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