A controversial former manager and businessman who failed in an attempt to buy Man United has ripped into the club’s management.
The Red Devils’ 3-2 win over Newcastle United last night was only their second victory in their last 10 matches in all competitions.
They are on course to finish 8th in the Premier League and miss out on European football next season, which will be the first full campaign with Sir Jim Ratcliffe pulling the strings behind the scenes.
The British billionaire became the biggest single United shareholder when he acquired 27 per cent stake in February after a protracted takeover process.
After years of chronic underinvestment under the Glazer regime, the bidding process saw dozens of potential investors throw their hats into the ring – some more credible than others.
Now, one of the more controversial figures from that period has had his say on the latest developments at Old Trafford.
Who is Thomas Zilliacus and what has he said?
Zilliacus is a Finnish entrepreneur who launched an audacious bid to take United into supporter-funded ownership.
He was chairman of 33-time Finnish champions HJK Helskinki between 1982 and 1986 and also managed Singaporean side Geylang International for six years in the 90s.
He proposed to finance half of the value of a multi-billion pound deal with another 50 per cent coming from the club’s fanbase, who would receive voting rights in return.
The auction overseers did not respond to the bid, which was dismissed as unrealistic by experts. Zilliacus has since turned his attention to a similarly outlandish takeover bid for Inter Milan.
After United were thumped 4-0 by Crystal Palace last week, the 68-year-old Tweeted: “This is beyond embarrassing. When a company is underperforming you change the management, not the workers. A top football club should be no different.“
Clearly, Zilliacus, who professes to be a lifelong United supporter, thinks structural change is needed, whether that be with manager Erik ten Hag or other members of the behind-the-scenes team.
What is Zilliacus doing now?
Zilliacus is keeping a relatively low profile but has gone public a number of times in recent months with his ambitions to buy Inter.
He has claimed that he will soon launch an “exciting new plan that: a. Will turn Inter into a profitable club that can win the Scudetto and the Champion’s League every year, b. Will bring Inter fans from around the world together and will enable the fans in Curva Nord to earn money, c. Will give the fans a say in strategic club matters.”
Many United fans were frustrated that it was Ratcliffe who bought into the club given the interest from mega-rich Sheikh Jassim and others. But they will likely be relieved that Zilliacus’ interest was not pursued.
Now the ownership saga has been at least temporarily resolved, the club can now turn their attention to other matters, such as finding the funds for a desperately needed stadium revamp.
As a new 90,000 seater stadium will be worth as much £600m to United over the course of an FFP assessment cycle, the regeneration project could be the perfect way for Ratcliffe to get an increasingly disillusioned fanbase back on-side.