Sir Dave Brailsford's foul-mouthed blast sheds light on Man Utd's ruthless overhaul
Sir Dave Brailsford is a key ally of Manchester United's controlling co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with a new clip giving an example of his no-nonsense approach to leadership
A newly-broadcast rant from Sir Dave Brailsford has cast fresh light on his ruthless overhaul at Manchester United.
Brailsford has been leading an audit at the Red Devils after his appointment to the club's board by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The British billionaire has long seen Brailsford as a key ally following his work with British Cycling, Team Sky and mostly recently Ineos Grenadiers.
Ratcliffe made him director of sport at Ineos before making him his right-hand man at Old Trafford following the completion of his buyout of a 29 percent stake in United. Before taking up that role, Brailsford spent 13 years as team principal of Team Sky and its successor the Grenadiers.
He led the team during last year's Tour de France, which is now the subject of Netflix series 'Tour de France: Unchained'. The cameras followed the teams around throughout last year's championship and gave an insight into Brailsford's no-nonsense style.
One episode looks at the Stage 14 win for Ineos rider Carlos Rodriguez. During the stage, title challenger Tadej Pogacar was impeded by motorbikes, which were themselves slowed by the thick corridor of spectators.
Leader Jonas Vingegaard was then able to launch a surprise attack to claim eight bonus seconds, while Pogacar had to settle for five. Brailsford's reaction to the incident was featured in the episode.
The Ineos team principal was riding in a car alongside the team's director of racing Steve Cummings and launched a foul-mouthed rant. He said: “The motorbikes in the way stopped him. Mother*******. That’s f****** b*******, isn’t it?”
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That rant showcases the fact Brailsford is not afraid to speak his mind, a key attribute as he looks to turn around United's fortunes. He has previously enjoyed huge success in cycling, including winning the Tour de France with Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas.
Brailsford has helped to oversee a major off-field overhaul at United since his arrival. Chief executive Richard Arnold, chief legal counsel Patrick Steward, chief financial office Cliff Baty, football director John Murtough and communications chief Ellie Norman have all departed the club.
In their place, Jean-Claude Blanc is acting chief executive until Omar Berrada arrives on 13 July, Jason Wilcox has joined as technical director and Dan Ashworth has become sporting director.
Brailsford has been a key ally for Ratcliffe in the period of upheaval, joining the billionaire in his first visit to the club's Carrington training ground in February. And Ratcliffe has made no secret of the important role Brailsford plays.
“Well, I think he will be critically involved in the future of Manchester United. He’s interested in elite sport and performance, which is what Manchester United is and I think he’s been very, very successful in sport in cycling," he said.
"But he’s generally viewed as one of the world ’s best thoughtful people on the subject of sports performance. It’s for good reason. I’ve known Dave now for quite a few years. He is obsessive about performance in elite sports, and he is going to be very successful at Manchester United.”
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