Omar Berrada, the former chief operating officer of Manchester City, is set to become the new chief executive of Manchester United, marking a significant move across town. Berrada, a Paris-born Moroccan, has been described as a coup for United, with his appointment seen as a strategic power play by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the 27.7% owner of United.

In an interview with the EU Business School, Berrada referenced a line from John Lennon’s song ‘Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)’ to illustrate his unexpected career trajectory, stating, ‘Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.’ This sentiment reflects his journey from Barcelona to Manchester, where he initially moved to watch good football and ended up staying for over a decade before joining Manchester City in 2011.

Berrada’s career progression includes roles at Barcelona and City, where he played a key role in international development before becoming the chief operating officer in 2016. His departure from City to join their fierce rivals, United, has been described as a bombshell, considering his instrumental contribution to City’s operations. Stefan Borson, a former financial adviser to City, highlights the mammoth challenge Berrada faces at United, indicating the significance of this move in the football industry.