Changing sides after 13 years
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The last notable transfer between Manchester United and Manchester City was Owen Hargreaves, who moved to the “Citizens” on a free transfer in 2011 – since then the balance of power in the city has tipped. Omar Berrada also started working for the Skyblues in 2011, having worked as head of the football department and right-hand man for sports director Txiki Begiristain for the last four years. From summer 2024, Berrada will work as CEO for Man United. City coach Pep Guardiola commented on the transfer and wished the Frenchman with Moroccan roots much success at his city rivals.
“United probably think that everything will change with this person – congratulations. I don’t know if that will happen,” Guardiola said (quoted via “Times“). “Yesterday I saw him, hugged him and wished him well. But I don’t know whether everything will run smoothly again. If they do, oh my God, they should name a stand after Omar Berrada.”
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Since Guardiola started at Man City in the summer of 2016, Man United has bought on the transfer market for 1.37 billion euros and achieved a transfer loss of 1.04 billion euros – the most negative transfer balance in the world. The fact that the success of the “Red Devils” was manageable during this time, with zero championships and three sixth places, is also due to poor decisions on the executive floor. Man City won five championships and the Champions League in 2023.
Guardiola assumes that little will change in the balance of power after Berrada’s move, although he will take his knowledge from 13 years with the Skyblues with him: “Kevin De Bruyne still plays for Man City and Erling Haaland will play here – at the end of the day “It’s not that simple.” Berrada has to take a break of several months before he can work for his new employer – the so-called “gardening leave” is common in England. The clubs are currently separated by eleven points in the table and almost 500 million euros in squad value.
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