Manchester United's legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been stripped of his lucrative ambassadorial role at the club in a brutal cost-cutting move by new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The End of a £2 Million-a-Year Role
The seismic decision, taken in October 2024, saw the termination of Sir Alex Ferguson's long-standing contract as a global ambassador for the club, a position that reportedly earned the iconic figure £2 million per year. The move was orchestrated by Ratcliffe and his INEOS leadership team as a central part of a sweeping financial overhaul designed to reduce the club's unsustainable operational costs.
According to reports, the delicate matter was handled in person during a meeting between Ratcliffe and the 84-year-old Scot. Despite being left understandably "grumpy" by the decision, Ferguson is said to have accepted it with characteristic grace, demonstrating his continued dedication to the long-term health of the institution he served for 27 trophy-laden years as manager.
A Backlash from Legends and Wider Redundancies
The removal of Ferguson's paid position has provoked a fierce reaction from other Manchester United icons. Former striker Eric Cantona branded the action "totally scandalous," while ex-defender Rio Ferdinand issued a stark warning, suggesting that if the club's greatest ever manager is not safe, then no employee's position can be considered secure.
This controversial cut is not an isolated incident. It forms a key part of a much larger redundancy programme that has seen approximately 250 staff members lose their jobs as INEOS seeks to streamline operations. Ratcliffe has vigorously defended these aggressive strategies, arguing they are essential to move the club away from a recent era of what he termed "dumb money" and poor investment, and towards a modern, high-performance structure.
Ferguson's Future and United's New Direction
Despite the termination of his salaried ambassador role, Sir Alex Ferguson will retain his seat as a non-executive director on the club's board. He remains a familiar and welcome face at Old Trafford on matchdays, continuing to offer his unparalleled support from the stands.
The decision symbolises the scale of change underway at Manchester United under INEOS control. The club is undergoing a complete renovation of its football operations, including a top-to-bottom transformation of its scouting and recruitment departments, which have been heavily criticised for years. While some fear the club is sacrificing its soul and tradition, the new leadership believes these ruthless, difficult choices are the necessary price to end years of mediocrity and build a squad capable of challenging for the game's biggest trophies once again.
