Manchester United have been named England’s second best-run football club by a group advocating for better governance and sustainability within the sport.
According to The Guardian, an analysis of the state of men’s football across the English football pyramid by Fair Game named United one of the country’s best-run clubs.
Fair Game is an organisation that works with 34 English Football League and non-league clubs. Their report analysed data from clubs across the top seven divisions in English football and gave them a score out of 100 based on four key indicators.
These indicators are financial sustainability, good governance, fan engagement and equality standards. These measures were weighted with financial shape being the most important factor, making up 40% of the score.
Based on these measures, Tottenham Hotspur were ranked first in the Fair Game Index with a combined score of 68.2 out of 100. The Guardian notes that Spurs’ top ranking was especially driven by a high score in equality.
United came in at second place with a score of 65.4 – a surprise rating considering the headlines the Red Devils have made over the years due to the Glazer ownership. United’s ranking was boosted by high scores in financial stability and good governance.
Tottenham and Manchester United have been named the best-run men’s football clubs in England
(via @FairGameUK) pic.twitter.com/Hxx69MgXXi
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Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed his partial 27.7% investment into Erik ten Hag’s side, there have been very positive signs that have left fans very encouraged heading into the future.
In just a few months, Ratcliffe and INEOS have implemented a best-in-class football structure consisting of individuals like Omar Berrada (CEO), Dan Ashworth (sporting director), Jason Wilcox (technical director) and Christopher Vivell (director of recruitment).
This revamp has seen the 20-time English champions operate more efficiently in the summer transfer window. So far, United have brought in Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt. It’s believed that the Reds are also close to sealing a deal with Paris Saint-Germain for Manuel Ugarte.
In addition to this, plans are also underway to either build a new state-of-the-art arena or refurbish Old Trafford. A final decision on which course of action the club will pursue is expected before the close of the year.
Niall Couper – Fair Game chief executive – said, “To deliver real and meaningful change we need to understand the problems. We’ve designed the Fair Game Index to do exactly that and help reshape the game we love.”
“It is the most comprehensive analysis yet of what it means to be a well-run club, and we’re calling on the authorities, the Football Regulator and football’s governing bodies to work with us.”
“This year, several overall themes have emerged: financial sustainability goes hand in hand with good governance and fan engagement; football’s financial flow is undermining sustainability; and equality and ethical standards are on average treated as lip service.”
“In short, football in England needs a truly independent regulator that can oversee good governance, reshape football’s financial flow, and ensure issues around equality and ethics get the support and respect they deserve.”
Brentford, Fulham and Liverpool are the other Premier League teams to feature in the top 10, alongside Spurs and United.
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