Reports suggest Sir Alex Ferguson has been barred from entering the Manchester United dressing room after games.
The ban follows the Red Devils’ decision to cease their annual multi-million-pound payments to him. The iconic boss has served as a global ambassador for United since stepping down from his managerial position 11 years ago.
However, as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s cost-cutting measures, he will no longer receive his hefty salary beyond the current season. Furthermore, it has come to light Ferguson will be denied access to the inner sanctum after games.
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The Daily Mail reports he has been requested to keep away from the United dressing room due to a policy shift. While United have reportedly refuted claims that Ferguson has been explicitly banned from the changing room, there is now said to be a ‘collective understanding’ regarding who is permitted entry.
This signifies the end of a long-standing tradition at United, where dressing room visits have been a part of the club’s ethos for many years. In the past, figures like David Gill, Mike Edelson and Sir Bobby Charlton were always allowed to interact with players, reports the Express.
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Ferguson was reportedly briefed about these changes in a personal meeting with Ratcliffe, who also informed him that United could no longer afford his annual salary. He is anticipated to continue as a non-executive director at Old Trafford.
United have been budget slashing after Ratcliffe and INEOS became co-owners of the club last year. They’re said to be planning to show the door to 250 employees, and numerous work perks have been cut or cancelled completely.
The INEOS chiefs have scrapped private car park spaces, and home workers were told to return to the office. Even department heads have had their company credit cards cut up as part of the penny-pinching.