After eight years as the director of football negotiations, Matt Judge has resigned from his role adding to the confusion already in the club.
Drawing from reports, Judge is presently working out a notice period before departing Manchester United later this year. It is for this reason he is not likely to be engaged in the Red Devils’ summer transfer dealings. Judge’s resignation leaves John Murtough in charge of recruitment at United, which is now experiencing a backstage shift. Judge is claimed to have begun to evaluate his situation in recent weeks as a result of the club’s structural changes, and his departure is supposed to be amicable between the two sides.
One of the changes that is alleged to have influenced the decision is the departure of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. Former manager Louis van Gaal had previously referred to Judge as Woodward’s ‘right hand.’
As the off-pitch reforms continue, Murtough has worked closely with Judge and will reportedly be assisted by the club’s recruitment and legal teams.
Despite Rangnick being named as the new Austria coach on Friday, United is poised to undergo a major upheaval this summer as Erik ten Hag takes over as permanent manager.
After confirming the departures of Jim Lawlor and Marcel Bout earlier this month, United is set to restructure its scouting network this summer.
And after being hired by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2005, Lawlor has served as a top scout for the past 16 years.
Six years ago, the 57-year-old Irishman was given a new role at United, supervising an enlarged network of scouts, but the structure is set to evolve once more this summer.
‘After 16 years with the club, Jim Lawlor has decided to stand down as head scout in the summer,’ according to a club statement.
‘During that time, Jim was a major figure in the building of many trophy-winning Manchester United sides, as well as a valuable source of advice for Sir Alex Ferguson and the managers who came after him.’
‘We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Jim for his important contribution to the club, as well as our best wishes for the future.’
Bout joined Louis van Gaal’s backroom squad in 2014, and two years later was promoted to United’s head of global scouting.
‘After eight years with the club, Marcel Bout has stepped down as head of global scouting,’ according to the club statement.
‘Marcel, a well-liked personality both inside and outside Manchester United, has played a key role as an assistant coach and in the recent upgrading of our scouting powers.
‘We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Marcel for his important contribution to the club, as well as our best wishes for the future.’