Who is Omar Berrada? Here is all you need to know about new Manchester United CEO
By Varun Aithal
Manchester United lure Omar Berrada from Manchester City to be their new CEO
In the decade since Sir Alex Ferguson bid adieu to Old Trafford, Manchester United has found itself in a prolonged Premier League title drought. Despite sporadic victories like a UEFA Europa League triumph, the coveted Premier League trophy has remained elusive, with the Glazer ownership at the helm. Various reasons contribute to this predicament, and one key factor is the fluctuating performance in the CEO position. Despite the appointments of figures like Ed Woodward and Richard Arnold, the Premier League title has remained out of reach, exacerbated by FFP pressures and questionable strategic planning.
However, amidst the dark clouds, a silver lining has emerged for the club. With a new partial investment from INEOS, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a fresh wind of change is blowing through Old Trafford. In this transformative era, a notable development is the appointment of a new CEO, the esteemed Omar Berrada from Manchester City, whom the new owners have successfully poached.
"Manchester United is pleased to announce the appointment of Omar Berrada as its new CEO."
- Manchester United Football Club
Who is Omar Berrada?
Omar Berrada, born in Paris to Moroccan parents and raised in the United States, made a significant shift in his academic and professional journey. At 18, he moved to Barcelona after leaving an engineering degree program in Massachusetts. Opting for a degree in Business Administration from EU Business School in Spain, he later pursued a master's degree at Ramon Llull University in Barcelona. Following a two-year stint as a Business Development Manager at Tiscali, Berrada joined Barcelona as the Head of Sponsorship.
Recognizing Omar Berrada's remarkable growth and capabilities, Manchester City made a strategic move to acquire him in 2011. Initially appointed as the Head of International Business Development, Berrada played a pivotal role in orchestrating pre-season tours and expanding Manchester City's global presence. Over the next four years, he climbed the ranks within the club, serving in crucial positions such as Director of Partnership Sales and Senior Vice President.
Berrada's contributions did not go unnoticed, and his trajectory within the Manchester City Group continued to ascend. In acknowledgment of his strategic acumen and operational expertise, he was appointed as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the club. The year 2020 brought another feather to his cap as he assumed the additional role of Chief Football Operations Officer at City Group.