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Toto Wolff, Jim Ratcliffe May Buy Manchester United Soon
English Premier League top club, Manchester United may be sold to Toto Wolf and Jim Ratcliffe, if things go as hoped by the former.
British billionaire who chairs the chemical company INEOS, Jim Ratcliffe, made an offer for a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United approximately two weeks ago, valued at approximately £1.5 billion.
However, while the official confirmation of the deal is yet to be finalized, the head of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 team, Toto Wolff, has acknowledged his willingness to collaborate with Ratcliffe on potential investments in the club.
“Jim has shared the trajectory with me. I very much respect his values, and we trust each other. If we felt it would make sense to be part of the investment group, then I would certainly look at it,” Wolff revealed at the press conference before the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
“Jim and Manchester United is a lover story because he is born there. Our personal relationship is strong, and with Ola Kallenius, they call us the Three Amigos because we live in the no bullshi* world. If I felt I could contribute them, I would consider joining him at Manchester United.”
INEOS, led by Jim Ratcliffe, is pursuing a 25% stake in Manchester United with the aim of eventually taking control of the club’s footballing operations and potentially acquiring the entire club in the future. This move may appear unconventional but underscores the subpar management of football-related aspects by the Glazer family since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Glazers have made a series of misguided decisions, from appointing individuals without sports expertise in crucial roles to extracting significant dividends from the club. These missteps highlight the need for a change in leadership.
This endeavour would mark a significant shift for Toto Wolff, who has previously been associated with Formula 1. Wolff began his Formula 1 journey with the Williams F1 Team in 2009 before assuming the roles of CEO and shareholder at Mercedes F1.
“I have never aimed for trophy investments, but I like the competitiveness of the Premier League. I think it’s the toughest environment,” remarked the former Austrian driver.