Manchester United hire Christopher Vivell as director of recruitment

Christopher Vivell has been appointed as Manchester United’s director of recruitment according to Fabrizio Romano.

“Christopher Vivell becomes new Manchester United director of recruitment, short-term deal agreed and also green light shortly over work permit,” Romano posted on X.

“Vivell has already accepted the proposal, after Chelsea experience he wants Premier League return and he’s signing for #MUFC.”

The update from the Italian journalist follows that of David Ornstein, who claimed that United were working to appoint Vivell to assist the club with its summer transfer window recruitment.

According to Ornstein, Vivell will initially be hired on a short-term basis to assist with United’s immediate recruitment needs before a longer-term deal is explored.

“Previously employed by RB Leipzig and most recently Chelsea, Vivell will lend expertise around talent ID and player recruitment,” Ornstein stated. “The 37-year-old German would also bring knowledge of operating in a multi-club model, which is expected to be explored by United’s new-look hierarchy going forward.”

Vivell worked at Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim from 2010 until 20215, where he served as a video analyst before becoming a scout.

In November 2015, he was appointed head of scouting for RB Salzburg, where he later served as the club’s sports coordinator for three years before becoming technical director in August 2020. On December 21, 2022, Vivell was appointed technical director of Chelsea – a position he held until July 2023 (Transfermarkt).

Vivell is the latest addition to United’s management staff since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS began their strategic overhaul of the club after obtaining minority ownership at the start of the year.

The new co-owners appointed Omar Berrada as the club’s new CEO soon after their arrival at Old Trafford, luring him away from Manchester City.

Jason Wilcox followed, becoming United’s new technical director in April.

Yesterday, the club confirmed Dan Ashworth as United’s new sporting director.

With the arrival of Vivell, Ashworth and their other new co-workers, it’s become clear that INEOS is intent on overhauling the organisational structure at United and rebuilding the club following years of decay under the Glazers.

All eyes now on how the club fares this window.

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