Manchester United have now confirmed that Christopher Vivell has taken over the role of director of recruitment in a full-time capacity, following his earlier period serving on an interim basis.
During the previous summer, Vivell had entered into a short-term agreement which came with the option of being extended if things went well.
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That arrangement has now turned into a multi-year deal, as the 38-year-old German chose to commit to a longer stay at Old Trafford.
Vivell’s Role in the Club’s New Direction
The new deal has been structured with a lower wage than what would typically be expected for a position of such importance. This was seen as a reflection of his personal drive to be part of the long-term rebuilding project being driven by INEOS.
Reporting directly to Jason Wilcox, the club’s technical director, Vivell now takes over major responsibilities. This comes after Dan Ashworth, who had only spent five months at the club as sporting director, stepped down.
Vivell’s responsibilities now include overseeing the club’s global scouting efforts. He will also direct the search for young talents as part of his wider recruitment obligations. He brings with him experience from his time at Chelsea and RB Leipzig, where he held senior executive roles.
While United did not give specific responses, parts of Vivell’s department are expected to be affected by ongoing staff reductions. The club has entered a formal legal redundancy phase and declined to discuss internal employment details during the process.
These staffing decisions are one piece of a larger transformation taking place at the club. Manchester United leadership says the goal is to restructure the football department to be more flexible and efficient.
What This Means for Manchester United’s Structure
Laurie Whitwell, who reports on Manchester United, shared his perspective on the development. He pointed out that although many already expected Vivell to be confirmed in the job after last year’s temporary appointment, the official announcement carries weight, especially now that there’s unrest behind the scenes.
His confirmation helps tidy up the organizational structure ahead of a vital summer transfer window. Vivell is expected to work closely with Steve Brown, the current head of scouting. However, their department is also expected to be affected by staff cuts.
Back in January 2023, reports indicated that United had around 140 scouts worldwide, including about 90 on casual terms. That large number had been viewed by some inside the club as excessive and due for streamlining. Vivell now faces the responsibility of reorganizing and strengthening this entire recruitment framework.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, part of United’s ownership group, believes that smart transfer decisions are essential for the club’s financial health. That makes Vivell’s success in recruitment even more important.
Already, Vivell has played a part in recent signings such as Sekou Kone. Moving forward, he will be expected to identify players who fit into the club’s football vision and financial plans. The challenge will be finding strong performers without exceeding the available budget.
