Manchester United to welcome City chief to Old Trafford in June – Etihad bosses ‘relaxed’ over recent meetings

Omar Berrada’s gardening leaving from Manchester City will end in June, according to a new report, ahead of his switch to become the new CEO of Manchester United.

The Old Trafford club confirmed the appointment of Berrada as their incoming CEO in January following a swift procedure with Manchester City over communicating and finalising their interest in the long-term City Group employee.

Manchester United’s statement on the pending arrival of Berrada included, “The Club is determined to put football and performance on the pitch back at the heart of everything we do. Omar’s appointment represents the first step on this journey.

“As one of the most experienced football executives at the top of European football, Omar brings a wealth of football and commercial expertise, with a proven record of successful leadership and a passion to help lead change across the Club.

“He is currently serving as Chief Football Operations Officer for City Football Group overseeing 11 clubs across five continents and, prior to this, held senior roles at Barcelona.”

Despite the announcement having been made in January, it appears as though Manchester United supporters will have to wait a little longer before Omar Berrada officially gets to work on the new project at Old Trafford under Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.

That is according to the information of Manchester City insider ‘Tolmie’s Hairdoo’ on X, who reports that the now-former Manchester City chief Omar Berrada’s gardening leave from the Etihad Stadium will end in June.

It is explained that Berrada will then be free to take up his new role at Manchester United. City are said to have been ‘aware’ of the Moroccan’s continued meeting up with Old Trafford executives, but are ‘relaxed’ about such a development.

Berrada is known to have played a significant role in various areas of Manchester City’s operation over the past years, including the position of working alongside Txiki Begiristain on the club’s transfer negotiations.

As well as his successful involvement in the signing of Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao in the January market of 2018, Berrada’s most notable work is likely to be seen as the signing of Erling Haaland in 2022.

City beat away competition from the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich to sign the Norwegian superstar at his release clause value, in a move that ultimately made the difference in securing the club their first ever UEFA Champions League trophy in 2023.