Sir Alex Ferguson has been banned from going into the Manchester United dressing room after matches, according to reports. It comes after the Red Devils told Ferguson they would no longer commit to paying him millions of pounds each year.
The legendary Scot has been working as a global ambassador for United since leaving his managerial role 11 years ago. However, he will stop receiving his lucrative salary beyond the end of the current season as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting efforts.
On top of that, it has emerged that Ferguson will no longer be allowed to enter the inner sanctum following matches. According to the Daily Mail, he has been asked to stay away from the United dressing room as part of a change in policy.
United have reportedly denied that Ferguson has been directly banned from the changing room, but there is now said to be a ‘collective understanding’ over who is allowed inside.
It marks the end of a long-standing tradition at United, with dressing room visits having been part of the club’s culture for decades. In the past, the likes of David Gill, Mike Edelson and Sir Bobby Charlton were always welcome to go in and speak to players.
Ferguson was reportedly informed of the changes in a face-to-face meeting with Ratcliffe, who also told him that United were no longer in a position to commit to his annual salary. He is expected to remain a non-executive director at Old Trafford.
United have made a series of wide-ranging cuts since Ratcliffe purchased a minority stake in the club at the end of last year. They have outlined plans to axe 250 members of staff, while certain staff privileges have been reduced or banned altogether.
INEOS have withdrawn access to private cars for the majority of staff members, while those with hybrid working arrangements were ordered to return to the office earlier this year. The corporate credit cards of heads of department have also reportedly been cancelled as part of the cost-cutting measures.
Ratcliffe previously reserved high praise for Ferguson, who won 38 trophies as United manager between 1986 and 2013.
Speaking in February, the INEOS chief said: “He’s got a lot of experience, a lot of stories to tell and a lot of thoughts about the club. I don’t think he has been encouraged to get involved but he is still very thoughtful about the club and he has an immense amount of experience.
“He really understands the values and traditions of the club and what it’s all about. He is still fiercely competitive, Sir Alex Ferguson.”
