In a move that signals another chapter in INEOS’ ambitious restructuring plan, Man United have secured the services of Brentford’s chief operating officer Ameesh Manek as their new director of football operations. The appointment, confirmed to staff at both clubs on Wednesday, represents the latest strategic addition to the Old Trafford hierarchy as the Red Devils continue their behind-the-scenes transformation under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership.
A Proven Track Record Across Premier League Giants
Ameesh Manek arrives at Old Trafford with considerable pedigree, having previously spent five years at Arsenal where he served as head of first-team football operations. His journey through English football’s elite demonstrates a progressive career built on operational excellence and organizational efficiency.
Before joining the Gunners, Manek made the transition from the corporate world, including a directorial role at Barclays Bank, before pivoting toward sports management. His initial foray into football came through Basketball England, showcasing his versatility across sporting disciplines.
| Career Timeline | Position | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-2018 | Head of Academy Football Operations | Arsenal FC |
| 2018-2020 | Head of First Team Football Operations | Arsenal FC |
| 2022-2024 | Business Operations Director | Brentford FC |
| July 2024-Present | Chief Operating Officer | Brentford FC |
| October 2025 | Director of Football Operations | Manchester United |
At Brentford, Manek joined initially as business operations director in 2022 before earning promotion to chief operating officer in July 2024. His rapid ascent through the Bees’ organizational structure underscores his ability to deliver results and build sustainable operational frameworks.
Comprehensive Carrington Responsibilities
The scope of Manek’s new role at Man United extends to overseeing the complete daily operations at the club’s Carrington training ground, encompassing travel arrangements, security protocols, training facilities management, staff oversight, and infrastructure development for both men’s and women’s teams.
This appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the training complex. Earlier this year, Man United completed a substantial £50 million refurbishment of the main first-team building, led by prestigious architects Foster and Partners. The upgraded facility represents a significant investment in player welfare and performance optimization.
Carrington’s New Era: Key Facility Enhancements
| Facility Component | Upgrade Details |
|---|---|
| Performance Area | State-of-the-art gym with altitude chamber |
| Recovery Facilities | Advanced hydrotherapy pools and medical suites |
| Player Amenities | Modern lounge with kitchen and barber services |
| Coaching Infrastructure | Open-plan offices for enhanced collaboration |
The refurbishment addressed longstanding criticisms about the training complex’s outdated facilities, including concerns previously raised by former players like Cristiano Ronaldo.
INEOS’ Systematic Leadership Overhaul
Ameesh Manek represents the latest leadership appointment by Man United CEO Omar Berrada, who joined from Manchester City as part of INEOS’ comprehensive restructuring initiative. The new director will report directly to director of football Jason Wilcox, who oversees team performance, while chief business officer Marc Armstrong handles commercial growth strategies.
Manek becomes the second key appointment poached from Brentford, following Stephen Torpey’s arrival as academy director after Nick Cox’s departure. This pattern demonstrates INEOS’ deliberate strategy of targeting proven talent from well-run Premier League operations.
The restructuring extends beyond personnel changes. This appointment enables Collette Roche, the club’s former chief operating officer, to concentrate exclusively on delivering Man United’s ambitious new stadium project, separating operational responsibilities from infrastructure development.
A Philosophy Built on Community and Culture
What distinguishes Ameesh Manek’s approach is his emphasis on organizational culture and community connection. Speaking at a leadership conference earlier this year, Manek highlighted the importance of complete alignment between ownership, board, executive leadership, management, staff, players, and coaching personnel, citing this unified sense of purpose as a pleasant surprise when he joined Brentford.
Manek stressed that maintaining a community-led ethos remained central to his work at Brentford, ensuring all growth activities and recruitment decisions prioritized culture and values. This philosophy resonates particularly well with Man United supporters who cherish the club’s historical community identity, which has faced challenges amid recent staff reductions and organizational changes.
Fitting Into United’s New Operational Framework
Manek will report to sporting director Jason Wilcox as part of Man United’s revamped leadership structure. This reporting line ensures clear accountability while maintaining operational autonomy for day-to-day training ground management.
The appointment arrives during a turbulent period for the club. Man United currently languish in the lower reaches of the Premier League table, with manager Ruben Amorim under considerable pressure despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s public backing. The operational stability that Manek brings could prove crucial as the club navigates on-field challenges while simultaneously implementing sweeping organizational reforms.
INEOS Leadership Structure at Man United
| Position | Name | Primary Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| CEO | Omar Berrada | Overall club operations |
| Director of Football | Jason Wilcox | Team performance |
| Chief Business Officer | Marc Armstrong | Commercial growth |
| Director of Football Operations | Ameesh Manek | Carrington operations |
| Academy Director | Stephen Torpey | Youth development |
The Bigger Picture: INEOS’ Long-Term Vision
The appointment of Ameesh Manek represents more than filling an operational vacancy. It demonstrates INEOS’ methodical approach to rebuilding Man United from the foundation upward. By securing experienced operators from successfully run clubs like Brentford and Manchester City, Ratcliffe’s regime aims to import proven operational excellence into Old Trafford’s infrastructure.
Manek’s background includes navigating the high-stakes Premier League environment after successfully transitioning from the corporate sector, making him well-suited to handle the unique pressures and expectations that accompany working at one of football’s most scrutinized institutions.
While the club faces significant challenges, including financial pressures that have resulted in substantial job cuts, the investment in experienced operational leadership suggests INEOS remains committed to establishing the proper infrastructure for sustained success. Manek’s experience overseeing both Arsenal’s first-team operations and Brentford’s administrative growth provides him with valuable perspective on running elite football operations at different scales.
As Man United continue their transformation journey under INEOS ownership, the appointment of Ameesh Manek to oversee Carrington’s operations represents another building block in the club’s efforts to reclaim their position at English football’s summit. Whether this restructuring delivers the on-field success that supporters crave remains to be seen, but the systematic approach to strengthening the club’s operational backbone suggests a commitment to sustainable, long-term improvement rather than quick fixes.
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FAQs
What will Ameesh Manek’s main responsibilities be at Man United?
Ameesh Manek will oversee all daily operations at Carrington training ground, including travel arrangements, security, training facilities management, staff oversight, and infrastructure for both men’s and women’s teams.
Where did Ameesh Manek work before joining Man United?
Manek was most recently chief operating officer at Brentford, having been promoted to that role in July 2024. Before that, he spent five years at Arsenal as head of first-team football operations.
Who will Ameesh Manek report to at Old Trafford?
Manek will report directly to director of football Jason Wilcox, who oversees team performance as part of Man United’s restructured leadership hierarchy.
Why is this appointment significant for Man United?
This appointment is part of INEOS’ broader restructuring strategy, bringing experienced operational leadership from well-run Premier League clubs to strengthen Man United’s behind-the-scenes infrastructure and daily football operations.
What recent improvements have been made to Carrington training ground?
Man United completed a £50 million refurbishment of the main first-team building earlier in 2025, adding state-of-the-art gym facilities, an altitude room, hydrotherapy pools, medical suites, and improved player amenities designed by Foster and Partners.
