The conversation with Sir Jim Ratcliffe that finally saw Sir Alex leave Manchester United

The conversation with Sir Jim Ratcliffe that finally saw Sir Alex leave Manchester United

“I take my hat off to Alex,”

Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Jim Ratcliffe (Image: PA )

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has opened up about the conversation that led to Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson leaving his role as ambassador of the club. Earlier this year, it was announced that United would stop paying Sir Alex's £2-million-a-year salary in their bid to cut costs.

The move meant that Ferguson stepped down from his ambassadorial role but still act as a non-executive member of the board while always welcome to attend games. Reports at the time stated that the decision was made after a meeting between Ratcliffe, 72, and Sir Alex, 83.

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Now Ratcliffe, United's co-owner, has revealed what transpired during the chat between the pair in a candid interview with The Times. “I take my hat off to Alex,” said Ratcliffe.

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“I sat down with Alex, just the two of us in the room, and I said, ‘Look, the club isn’t where you may think it is. It is spending more than it’s earning and we’re going to finish up in some difficulties. Honestly, we can’t really afford to continue to pay you £2 million a year’.

“I said I’m going to, ‘Leave it with you, let you have a think about it’. It was very grown up. Maybe a little bit grumpy at the beginning but he got it, and he came back three days later, after talking to his son, and said, ‘Fine, I’m going to step away from it. My decision’. I think it reflects really well on Alex, because he put the club before himself.”

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Sir Alex stepped away after a chat with Sir Jim Ratcliffe (Image: PA )

Sir Alex Ferguson won 38 trophies including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues during his 27 year reign as Man Utd manager. After retiring in 2013, he signed a deal to become a global ambassador worth £2.16m per year.

In 2023, the club announced that Ratcliffe had acquired a 25% in Manchester United, marking him the majority shareholder and his company, INEOS Sport head of football operations. The purchase was completed in February 2024.

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However, their first year in charge has proved difficult with high profile sackings of previous manager Erik ten Hag and former sporting director, Dan Ashworth, who only lasted five months in the role. Furthermore, Ratcliffe and INEOS have been under heavy criticism after carrying multiple redundancies to the club with a further 200 expected this year.

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