The Daily Mail has reported that “Toby Craig, formerly of Chelsea and Manchester City, is to become Old Trafford’s new chief communications officer.” The former Chelsea and Manchester City director of Communications and Public Affairs is set to focus more on the football communication than the marketing communication at Manchester United. Toby Craig previously worked with incoming United CEO Omer Berrarda at Manchester City, who will start working at United in July after his gardening leave ends. Toby Craig will replace Comms Chief Ellie Norman who departs United after 19 months.
The internal audit at United has continued ever since Sir Jim Ratcliffe took over a minority stake at Manchester United. Since the time of his takeover, various key figures have been shuffled. Toby Craig joined the club after Manchester United was able to take on board CEO Omer Berrarda who will start working in July and Technical Director, Jason Wilcox. Newcastle United's Sporting Director Dan Ashworth is also expected to join the club officially soon.
Manchester United have clearly emphasized on the sporting aspect of the club which seemed long neglected under the Glazers. Since INEOS' arrival at Manchester United, key figures including Richard Arnold and John Murtough have left the club. For a long time, the Old Trafford faithful have expressed dissent and dissatisfaction over how the footballing operations of the club were run but the new owners have clearly indicated otherwise which is a good sign to start with.