Former Manchester United director Peter Kenyon has blasted the Glazer family for their part in the Premier League club’s decade of decline.
In a conversation on the Business of Sport podcast, as relayed by the Daily Mirror, Peter Kenyon commented on Manchester United and the decade of struggles overseen by the Glazer family. The former United director has criticised the majority owners for their decision-making, even joking they “should be shot” for their mistakes.
Kenyon said, “The downfall of United was the success of United in that they didn’t have a succession plan. You don’t let the two people who have influenced the club for many years, the manager and the CEO, to leave at the same time. It’s a joke. You should be shot for that.”
The former Manchester United director continued, “What business would let their two key employees walk out of the door on the same day? You don’t even know where the plug sockets are to plug stuff in! Don’t get me on that. It really annoys me.”
Kenyon was referring to Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill’s departures from Old Trafford in quick succession nearly a dozen years ago. The Red Devils were on top of English football back then but have steadily declined to become a shell of what they were in their pomp. That pomp appears to be a distant memory for Manchester United fans.
Meanwhile, the Glazers have added to Manchester United’s debt, stripping the Premier League club of over £2 billion. Their fortunes further improved when Sir Jim Ratcliffe-led INEOS bagged a minority stake in the club, with the Glazer family selling a 27 per cent stake for £1.2 billion.
The financial mismanagement and horrendous spending in the market have added to the Premier League outfit’s woes, leading to issues around the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. It has also forced Ratcliffe to oversee job cuts and other financial sanctions.
Even though Ratcliffe and INEOS have come under fire, the mismanagement by the Glazers have led Manchester United to this situation. So, Kenyon is correct in his assessment, beginning with the decision to allow Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill to depart close to each other a dozen years ago.
