February 26 – Manchester United have confirmed Christopher Vivell as their full-time director of recruitment, solidifying his place in the INEOS-led shake-up at Old Trafford.
The 38-year-old German, who initially joined on a short-term deal last summer, has now signed a multi-year contract – albeit with a reduced salary, reportedly a sign of his commitment to the club’s ongoing rebuild.
Vivell, formerly at Chelsea and RB Leipzig, will take charge of United’s global recruitment operation, scouting network, and emerging talent strategy. He will report directly to technical director Jason Wilcox, who has assumed greater responsibility following the swift departure of sporting director Dan Ashworth after just five months in the job.
His appointment comes at a time of significant internal restructuring, with United’s bloated scouting department facing major cuts. The club’s recruitment strategy – long criticised for its inefficiency – has been earmarked for an overhaul, and Vivell now carries the burden of ensuring smarter, leaner decision-making in the transfer market.
United’s scouting system, which once boasted 140 scouts worldwide, including 90 casuals, has often been viewed as unwieldy and lacking direction. Vivell will be tasked with refining this approach, all while working within financial constraints that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe sees as key to improving the club’s long-term stability. His influence has already been felt, playing a role in signings like youth prospect Sekou Kone, but the true test lies ahead.
With yet another crucial summer transfer window looming, Vivell’s appointment provides much-needed clarity amid the turbulence behind the scenes. Now, the challenge is to deliver results – something United’s recruitment team has struggled with for over a decade.
United’s recruitment overhaul is happening against a backdrop of financial turbulence, with Ratcliffe’s Ineos-led cost-cutting drive in full swing. The club has lost money for five consecutive years and is now scrambling to restore profitability.
Ratcliffe has made it clear that smarter transfer business is essential to turning the club’s finances around. With a summer transfer window approaching and expectations higher than ever, Vivell must deliver – on a budget.
The latest measures? A wave of staff layoffs and, in a move that has raised eyebrows, the closure of the Old Trafford staff canteen. Free lunches are out – replaced by complimentary fruit, at least for now.
It’s an uncomfortable time for employees, with up to 200 redundancies expected despite previous assurances from CEO Omar Berrada that job losses had ended.
At a club where even the cafeteria isn’t safe from the financial squeeze, the pressure on recruitment to get things right has never been greater.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1741557889labto1741557889ofdlr1741557889owedi1741557889sni@g1741557889niwe.1741557889yrrah1741557889