Ed Woodward quits Manchester United as European Super League backlash continues

ByBen Snowball

Updated 20/04/2021 at 20:27 GMT

It’s a development many Manchester United fans thought would never happen, but Ed Woodward has stood down from duties at Old Trafford. United were one of 12 founding members to sign up for the European Super League – although their participation is in some doubt after several clubs withdrew on Tuesday.

Ed Woodward has quit as Manchester United executive vice chairman as the European Super League (ESL) furore took another twist.

Woodward, who took the post in 2013, was a regular subject of fans' ire at Old Trafford in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson period.

The 49-year-old will officially leave United at the end of the year, something the club are reportedly claiming has been the plan all along and is unrelated to the ESL.

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"I am extremely proud to have served United and it has been an honour to work for the world’s greatest football club for the past 16 years," Woodward told the club's website.

“The club is well positioned for the future and it will be difficult to walk away at the end of the year.

"I will treasure the memories from my time at Old Trafford, during a period when we won the Europa League, the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. I am proud of the regeneration of the club’s culture and our return to the Manchester United way of playing."

The announcement comes as Manchester City, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid all moved to pull out of the controversial ESL, with the future of the tournament looking in serious doubt.

Earlier the Premier League met with the 14 clubs not involved and issued a statement saying they had "unanimously and vigorously" rejected plans for a European Super League. It said it was considering all "actions available to prevent it from progressing".

Woodward added: "I desperately wanted the club to win the Premier League during my tenure and I am certain the foundations are in place for us to win it back for our passionate fans.

"I would like to thank United’s passionate fans for their support during the good and bad times. I know this has been a challenging period in our history, but your support for the team has never, ever been in doubt."

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