Manchester United staff have reportedly been left ‘stunned’ by the dismissal of the club’s long-serving head of team operations. The popular Jackie Kay is set to leave her job at the club’s Carrington training ground after three decades of service.
Reports suggest that over 100 staff risk losing their jobs in brutal cost-cutting measures at Old Trafford, although Kay’s exit is said to be separate to this. It comes after a series of controversial decisions made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS head of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, and technical director Jason Wilcox.
Kay has been at United for 30 years, initially joining as an executive assistant to former CEO David Gill. Hailing from a United-supporting family, she was only promoted to head of team operations in October 2023.
She has taken charge of team logistics for more than a decade, based at the club’s Carrington training base. The terms of her exit are reportedly yet to be agreed.
The Times report that Kay’s expected departure has ‘stunned’ her colleagues. Described by one insider as “the oil in the machine”, Kay is understood to have been hugely popular with players and a string of managers.
Staff are said to be “upset” over the decision to make her job redundant. One colleague pointed out that Kay had “given her life to the club”.
It is understood that Kay’s departure is not linked to more than 100 redundancies reportedly set to sweep across the club.
Reports suggest that INEOS are planning further job cuts as part of plans to save funds to funnel into spending on Ruben Amorim’s struggling first team. INEOS have pointed to heavy financial losses and the redevelopment of Old Trafford, which could cost billions, as the reason behind cost-control measures.
United employed 1,112 staff prior to Ratcliffe’s purchase of 27.7 per cent of the club in January 2023. That figure was reduced by 250 last year. A further 100 redundancies are now reportedly in the works, with staff left fearing for their jobs.
Other unpopular decisions made by INEOS and Ratcliffe include cancelling free coach travel for staff to last season’s FA Cup final. Individuals still wanting to attend the match at Wembley Stadium were asked to pay £10.
The staff Christmas party was reportedly cancelled, while several iconic club ambassadors have had their pay slashed. Funding for the club’s charitable foundation is also expected to be cut.
It comes with INEOS taking “cost-saving measures” across its sporting commitments. The petrochemicals giants have blamed the “deindustrialisation of Europe” for the collapse of a £22million sponsorship deal with All Blacks, prompting a legal challenge from New Zealand Rugby.
