Manchester United players have been advised to brace themselves for significant changes under INEOS leadership, according to OGC Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo, who has first-hand experience of the firm’s impact.
INEOS, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, acquired the French club in 2019, subsequently bringing in Todibo from Barcelona a couple of years later. Todibo has been integral to Nice’s efforts to consistently challenge Ligue 1’s top teams.
While Nice’s journey under INEOS hasn’t been entirely smooth, with fluctuating league finishes between fifth and ninth place, the club secured a Europa League spot for the 2024/25 season after their latest fifth-place finish.
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Todibo emphasizes that unlike the Glazer family, who have maintained a relatively hands-off approach at Manchester United, Ratcliffe and his close associate Sir Dave Brailsford, INEOS’s director of sport since 2021, prefer a more direct involvement.
“They changed a lot of things. They give us comfort so there’s a positive atmosphere to help the team succeed,” Todibo told the Daily Mail. “They prioritize being with the players, enabling them to deliver their best performances. Sir Jim engages and jokes with the players. And then there’s Dave.”
Brailsford, renowned for his success in cycling, played a pivotal role in Great Britain’s dominance in the sport and was instrumental in the creation of Team Sky, later acquired by Ratcliffe to form the INEOS Grenadiers. Under his leadership, the team has clinched seven Tour de France victories since 2012.
Todibo highlights Brailsford’s meticulous attention to detail and relentless focus on performance, drawing parallels between cycling and football. He emphasizes the importance of players maximizing their individual performance for the team’s success.
At Nice, Todibo believes that INEOS has played a significant role in shaping the team’s mindset, a factor arguably lacking at Manchester United in recent years, as acknowledged by Wayne Rooney.
Despite initial expectations that Ratcliffe would primarily oversee sporting operations, his influence extends further. Recently, he implemented a policy requiring all employees to work permanently from an office site, sparking discontent among non-football staff. An ultimatum has been issued, offering staff the option to resign if they refuse to comply.