By Brian Bariyo Tumuramye
Rio Ferdinand admits he is interested in becoming Manchester United’s first technical director, but says the role has not yet been defined by the Club.
Ferdinand, who spent 12 years at Old Trafford, is one of several candidates the Club has spoken to about taking up the role, which they aim to fill before the start of the season. Ed Woodward, the United executive vice-chairman, is understood to have discussed the position with Ferdinand, but the former England defender says he is still in the dark about what the role actually entails. “It all depends on the shape of the job,” Ferdinand said when asked if he fancied returning to the Club. “I don’t think it’s all been outlined at Man United in terms of ‘that’s the job and this is the description’. I think there’s a lot to talk about within that. “To be fair to Man United, in that kind of role, the responsibility that comes with that, you can’t lie and say that that’s not a turn-on. That is because you are helping to shape the fortunes of a Club of that stature. That’s a huge job.” Ferdinand said. He added that “All the boxes would have to be ticked that you’ve got in your head before considering something like that.
I think decisions made at a football club – not all (but) some of them – should come with a football thought process in the background somewhere, (someone) that understands that side of it and can make that kind of decision.” United have had four managers since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, spending £744m on 28 players. Ferdinand believes United lost their way after the departure of Ferguson and says they need to “lock down a philosophy” from the first-team to the academy, like rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.
“Man United are looking for their ideology.” he said. “They went away from it after Sir Alex Ferguson, they tried to take it on under different managers and it didn’t work, so they are still searching. There needs to be some sort of story at a football club for the stars and the staff to believe in. Liverpool have got that, Jurgen Klopp has created that. Man City have got that – Pep (Guardiola) has created that. But they have been allowed to create it. They have had time.” Ferdinand noted, before adding that “Do I think Man United can do that? I think time will tell – Ole has a window to work in and then he has to put that jigsaw in place. “It is a big gap between Man City, Liverpool and Spurs. They will build again, they will recruit again.”
