More chaos at Manchester United as transfer chief Matt Judge ‘resigns from his role after eight years and will NOT play an active role in the summer transfer window… leaving John Murtough in charge of negotiations’
- Manchester United’s director of football negotiations Matt Judge has resigned
- Judge has been involved in United’s transfer business since the summer of 2014
- He is currently working out a notice period before leaving the club later this year
- The transfer chief’s exit comes amid a series of structural changes at the club
Manchester United’s director of football negotiations Matt Judge has resigned from his position after eight years at the club, according to a report.
Judge is currently working out a notice period before leaving the club later this year but is not expected to be involved in the Red Devils’ summer transfer business, according to The Athletic.
United are currently undergoing a backroom shuffle and Judge’s departure leaves John Murtough in charge of recruitment at the club.
Judge reportedly began to consider his position in recent weeks amid the series of structural changes at Old Trafford, and his exit is said to be amicable between the two parties.
The departure of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is said to be one of the changes to impact the decision. Judge had previously been described by former manager Louis van Gaal as Woodward’s ‘right hand’.
Murtough has worked closely with Judge and will apparently be supported by the club’s recruitment and legal teams as the off-pitch changes continue.
Manchester United’s director of football negotiations Matt Judge has resigned from his position after eight years at the club
Judge’s (right) exit comes amid a series of structural changes at the club, including the departure of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward (centre)
The departure leaves John Murtough (left) in charge of recruitment at Old Trafford
United are believed to be set for an overhaul this summer as Erik ten Hag arrives to fill the position as permanent manager, while interim boss Ralf Rangnick is still expected to move into a consultancy role, despite being announced as the new Austria coach on Friday.
Ten Hag has reportedly demanded he be left alone by United bosses from 48 hours before each of Ajax’s remaining games this season.
The Dutch giants are favourites to claim back-to-back Eredivisie titles for the first time since the 2013-14 season.
And ESPN report as a result, Ten Hag has asked United chiefs to leave him alone from two days before all of the four Dutch league fixtures the 35-times winners have remaining this term.
Erik ten Hag has reportedly demanded he be left alone by Man United bosses from 48 hours before each of Ajax’s remaining games this season
The report adds Ten Hag made the request was when negotiations were taking place during the March international break for him to become the new United boss.
Ajax would seal a third Eredivisie crown of the Ten Hag era should they maintain their current position at the top of the table.
United are also expected to overhaul their scouting network this summer after confirming that Jim Lawlor and Marcel Bout left the club earlier this month.
Lawlor has been chief scout for 16 years after he was brought in under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2005.
United are also expected to overhaul their scouting network this summer after confirming that Jim Lawlor and Marcel Bout (pictured) left the club earlier this month
The 57-year-old Irishman was given a new role six years ago overseeing an expanded network of scouts at United, but the system is expected to change again this summer.
A club statement read: ‘Jim Lawlor has decided to step down from his role as chief scout in the summer after 16 years with the club.
‘During that time, Jim played a key role in the development of multiple trophy-winning Manchester United teams and was an important source of guidance to Sir Alex Ferguson and each of the managers who have followed him.
‘Jim leaves the club with our warmest thanks for his significant contribution and our very best wishes for the future.’
Bout (left) joined United as part of Louis van Gaal’s (right) backroom team before being appointed as the club’s head of global scouting two years later
Bout joined United as part of Louis van Gaal’s backroom team in 2014 and was appointed United’s head of global scouting two years later.
The club statement added: ‘Marcel Bout has departed from his role as head of global scouting after eight years with the club.
‘A respected figure within and outside of Manchester United, Marcel has played an important part as an assistant coach and in the strengthening of our scouting capabilities in recent years.
‘Marcel leaves the club with our warmest thanks for his significant contribution and our very best wishes for the future.’
