Man United make key internal appointment as former Chelsea technical director secures permanent transfer role

Manchester United have appointed Christopher Vivell as the club’s director of recruitment on a full-time basis.

Mail Sport revealed earlier this month that Vivell had entered talks over taking up the role permanently.

Vivell had initially joined the club in July in an interim role and has had a role in signing players while working under budgetary constraints.

And, he has now agreed to stay on after signing a multi-year contract.

Vivell previously had a short spell as Chelsea‘s technical director between December 2022 and July 2023.

He had been appointed to the role by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali following their takeover of the club, succeeding former advisor and legendary Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Vivell (right) has been working at Old Trafford on an interim basis since the summer window

Vivell (left) previously had a short seven-month spell as Chelsea’s technical director

His departure came after a board-level restructure following the January transfer window in 2023 that resulted in Vivell reporting to sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.

Vivell’s role at Man United comes as the Red Devils formalise their leadership structure following Dan Ashworth’s shock exit as sporting director in December.

Mail Sport revealed last month that Jason Wilcox, Man United’s technical director, would take on an extended remit.

Wilcox is working closely with the club’s chief executive Omar Berrada.

Alongside Wilcox and Berrada, Ineos director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford represents the ownership to make up a three-man football leadership team.

Having agreed to stay on, Vivell – who was said to have a role in the addition of Malian midfielder Sekou Kone – is now set to lead the club’s recruitment operation, as well as overseeing their scouting structure.

The 38-year-old, who previously worked for the Red Bull group in Salzburg and Leipzig, will boost the clarity around the footballing structure of United going forward as the Ineos-led regime undergoes further cost-cutting measures.

Having already axed 250 jobs last year, the club announced plans to make more than 200 staff redundant on Monday.

Vivell’s permanent appointment comes as Sir Jim Ratcliffe continues to restructure the club

United have been extremely wasteful in recent windows, including signing Antony for £85m

This will see the scouting set-up affected, but it is hoped that Vivell will steer United’s recruitment to happier times.

There have been several high profile gaffes in the transfer market in recent years, with many big-money additions at Old Trafford failing to make a positive impact on the club.  

This includes the likes of £85million Antony, £60m Angel Di Maria and £73m Jadon Sancho.

United currently sit 15th in the Premier League, 14 points off the top four. They return to action on Wednesday when they host Ipswich.