By Paul Nicholson
February 20 – David Gill, chief executive of Manchester United, is to stand down from the position he has held since 2003 but will remain on the board as a director of the club.
Gill departs June 30 when executive vice chairman Ed Woodward will officially step into the CEO role. Woodward led the reporting of the clubs most recent, and outstanding, financial performance to investors, analysts and the media.
Joining the Premier League club in February 1997 as finance director, Gill becoming chief executive in 2003 when Peter Kenyon left to join the Abramovich revolution at Chelsea.
Gill saw the club through the acquisition by the Glazer family, various challenges from supporter groups like Green and Gold, and most recently through the club’s share offering on the New York Stock Exchange.
He leaves his position with the club established as the most valuable sports ‘franchise’ in the world, according to Forbes magazine.
“It has been the greatest privilege to serve Manchester United for 16 wonderful years – the last 10 of which as its chief executive,” said Gill.
” I have always been conscious of the fact that, as a member of staff, I was always just a temporary custodian of this marvellous institution. I am also of the view that all businesses need to refresh themselves with new management and ideas and after 10 years in charge I believe it is appropriate for someone new to pick up the baton.
“I am looking forward to continuing my involvement on the club board. And I hope to be able to make a contribution to the game on a wider national and European level.”
Gill was appointed as the FA’s vice chairman in October 2012 and has been nominated as the national governing body’s candidate in the UEFA executive committee elections to be held in May. He has previously been a vice-chairman on the now defunct G-14 group of Europe’s leading clubs, and served for two years on the board of the European Club Association which replaced G14.
The English FA have high hopes that Gill will improve the country’s often fractious, and more often politically inept, relationships with its UEFA and FIFA partners. He may also be a logical replacement for David Bernstein who finishes his term at the FA this year.
Gill’s departure from active Manchester United duty will likely come after a number of crucial clubs deals are completed, most notably the Nike deal which is coming up for renewal and around which an announcement has been promised.
The reshuffle could also signal the way for further senior personnel changes at Manchester United and perhaps even the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson as the club plans for the future.
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