Once upon a time, in the vibrant world of soccer, a British billionaire named Jim Ratcliffe had a dream — a dream to see his beloved Manchester United rise to the pinnacle of English, European, and world football. And guess what? His dream might just become a reality.
At the sprightly age of 71, Ratcliffe, the owner of INEOS, a petrochemicals giant, has finally secured a stake of up to 25% in the famous Premier League club. His passion for sports, especially soccer, runs deep in his veins, as he has been a devoted United fan since he was a young lad. And let's be honest, the supporters are going to adore his stated ambitions.
In a statement released on Sunday, Ratcliffe expressed his desire to see Manchester United regain its rightful place at the top of the footballing hierarchy. Negotiations with the Glazer family, United's American owners, have been long and arduous, but all that effort seems to have paid off, pending Premier League approval.
But if we trace Ratcliffe's soccer adventures just a tad bit further back, we'll find quite an intriguing chain of events. Not too long ago, there were rumors circulating that Ratcliffe was on the verge of taking control of one of United's main Premier League rivals. Can you imagine the plot twist? Almost like a gripping sports drama!
Ratcliffe had initially set his sights on acquiring the Glazer family's controlling stake of approximately 69%. Alas, fate had other plans, and he eventually settled for a minority share. The competition was fierce, with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani making a valiant attempt to secure the deal. However, in October, he withdrew from the bidding process, unable to reach an agreement for a complete takeover.
And the plot thickens. In a surprising turn of events in 2022, Ratcliffe made a late bid for another Premier League club: Chelsea. Yes, you read that correctly. Despite not being involved in the months-long bidding process, Ratcliffe swooped in when a consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital was on the verge of sealing the takeover from former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
Amidst all the speculation surrounding his intentions, Ratcliffe was keen to make one thing crystal clear — he genuinely desired British success for Chelsea. His bid may have come as a shock to many, but he emphasized his serious interest in the club. Alas, his timing was a tad off, as Boehly and Clearlake had already secured their conquest. Talk about a twist in the tale!
But Ratcliffe never loses hope. Later that very same year, rumors swirled about a potential Glazer family sale of Manchester United, and our ambitious billionaire wasted no time. He launched a bid to acquire the Americans' stake, ready to take the reins and steer the club back to its days of glory. It's safe to say Ratcliffe is not one to shy away from seizing an opportunity.
Now, here's where the story takes an interesting turn. While Ratcliffe has the daunting task of rejuvenating Manchester United's fortunes in the Premier League, his other soccer venture, Nice, has been making quite a splash in the south of France. Ratcliffe's takeover of Nice four years ago has borne fruit, thanks in part to their philosophy-studying Italian coach, Francesco Farioli.
Currently sitting second in the French league, Nice is challenging the reigning champion, Paris Saint-Germain, and has its sights set on securing an automatic spot in next season's Champions League. But here's the catch — UEFA rules prevent two clubs with the same owner's 'decisive influence' from participating if they could potentially face each other. If both Nice and Manchester United qualify, priority would go to the team that finishes higher in their respective domestic leagues. Nice has the upper hand on current form.
Wait, the plot thickens once more! Ratcliffe's soccer club ownership journey kicked off in 2017 with Lausanne-Sport in Switzerland. INEOS, his company, was already a sponsor of the local club, so taking the leap into ownership seemed like a natural progression. The management's ambitions for the Swiss club were to qualify for European competitions and collaborate with youth academies in Africa.
But soccer isn't Ratcliffe's only playground. He's also ventured into the energizing world of cycling. In 2019, the famed Team Sky underwent a transformation and became Team Ineos (later Ineos Grenadiers) under Ratcliffe's ownership. The team has continued to thrive, despite facing stiff competition, most notably from Jumbo-Visma and UAE Team Emirates at the Tour de France.
Who would have thought that a British billionaire with a childhood affinity for Manchester United would become such a compelling protagonist in the sporting world? Ratcliffe's thrilling journey through soccer club ownership, from his love for United to his daring bid for Chelsea and his success with Nice, showcases his undeniable determination and passion for the beautiful game.
As the tale unfolds, we eagerly await the next chapter in Ratcliffe's story. Will he achieve his dreams of restoring Manchester United's dominance? Or will his presence in multiple clubs bring about a clash of interests? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure — Jim Ratcliffe is a force to be reckoned with, leaving an indelible mark on the ever-evolving landscape of sports.
