Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold has announced his exit from 2022 until 2023. Under the Glazer family’s ownership, the club is looking for a new CEO.
In the meantime, general counsel Patrick Stewart will serve as interim CEO while the club hunts for a permanent replacement. Arnold has been with the club for 16 years and has endured both acclaim and criticism, with recent issues such as the Mason Greenwood case complicating his job. The resignation occurs in the midst of continuing reorganisation and fan demonstrations against the Glazer family’s ownership.
Who is Richard Arnold?
From 2022 until 2023, Richard Arnold, a British accountant, was the CEO of Manchester United Football Club. He joined the club in 2007 as group commercial director and then served as group managing director and director of Manchester United PLC until becoming managing director in February 2022.
Arnold’s tenure at Manchester United witnessed important developments, including as the recruitment of manager Erik ten Hag and the signing of substantial sponsorship deals, notably a record-breaking £750 million kit contract with Adidas.
His tenure, however, was marred by the team’s on-field performance, fan dissatisfaction, and criticism for his handling of the Mason Greenwood affair.
Arnold declared his intention to step down as CEO in November 2023, and the Glazer family, the club’s owners, are actively looking for a new CEO.
