As Sir Jim Ratcliffe approaches his first transfer window as co-owner of Manchester United, he faces significant challenges not only at Old Trafford but also at Nice, the French club owned by his INEOS group.
In a recent development, Nice confirmed the departure of their highly-regarded sporting director, Florent Ghisolfi. At just 39, Ghisolfi has been pivotal for the club and has now agreed to join Roma, leaving Nice just weeks before the summer transfer window opens. Ratcliffe and his INEOS team are now tasked with finding a suitable replacement, having already identified a shortlist of ‘four or five’ candidates.
This adds to the growing list of tasks for Ratcliffe, whose petrochemicals company acquired Nice in 2019. Manager Francesco Farioli’s future at the club is also uncertain, with rumors linking him to Ajax becoming more pronounced.
Following Nice’s 2-2 draw with Lille, which saw them finish the season in fifth place, club president Jean-Pierre Rivere confirmed Ghisolfi’s exit. “We are happy for him,” Rivere said. “We shared some great moments with him. I really like him on a human level and we wish him all the best.”
Among the potential candidates to replace Ghisolfi are Strasbourg’s Loic Desire and Stade Rennes’ chief Florian Maurice. Ghisolfi’s tenure since October 2022 has been notable, succeeding INEOS chief Sir Dave Brailsford, who had taken extraordinary measures to steer the club through the pandemic.
Ghisolfi played a crucial role in appointing Farioli, who, at just 34, brought a dynamic, front-foot style of play to Nice. His work caught the attention of Ajax, which is currently undergoing significant managerial restructuring after a challenging season.
Meanwhile, Ratcliffe must also address pressing issues at Manchester United. There is speculation about the future of manager Erik ten Hag, whose position might be under review after the upcoming FA Cup final against Manchester City. Ratcliffe and INEOS have shown a readiness to make tough decisions at Nice, having changed managers six times since their takeover less than five years ago.
With such transformative changes underway, both Nice and Manchester United are poised for a summer of intense activity and critical decision-making.