Nice boss Francesco Farioli has provided insights into the operations under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is poised for a partial takeover of Manchester United.
Ratcliffe, the CEO of INEOS, is set to acquire a minority stake from the Glazer family, and is anticipated to assume control of the sporting side of Manchester United.
Former CEO Richard Arnold has already departed, and director John Murtough is expected to follow suit soon. Farioli’s revelations shed light on Ratcliffe’s approach and working style in the context of his involvement with football clubs.
Farioli also offered positive feedback on Ratcliffe, emphasizing his positive approach and thought process from a sporting perspective.
He told The Telegraph [via GFIN]: “I met Jim Ratcliffe a few days after (taking the job) because he was very busy,” said Farioli. “But from his side, the first time we met, the feeling he transferred to me, it was really like the feeling of somebody that was really aware of many things. I felt already known before knowing him. It was a really warm welcome.”
Farioli describes Ratcliffe as someone who is ‘aware’ of the club’s situation
“I like to listen to the feedback I receive because it’s good to have different perspectives and different input. Afterwards, I have freedom in the decisions on the pitch. In other things, a bit more for the medium and long term, there is always an open door. We share our opinions and we have periodic, day-by-day, or weekly conversations. But also with the club, we have a monthly review of everything with all the parts involved – about the strategy, about the present and also about the future.”
“The ambitions of the club are already quite big with the desire to bring the team back in Europe and to be constantly in the European competition. This is the target, to dream big.”
Farioli is acknowledged as one of the game’s most promising young managers. Whether he returns to Italy or not is yet to be determined, but the decision by Nice to appoint the 34-year-old is already proving to be a significant development. Regarding Ratcliffe, as the takeover is nearing completion, he is expected to focus on making an early impact during the January transfer window.
