Why Ed Woodward Is to Blame for the Paul Pogba Palava...

Groundhog Day, for those unaware, was an early nineties flick starring the immortal Bill Murray, as a cynical weatherman who wakes and relives the same day over and over. Such is his character’s frustration, he commits suicide each day to end his seemingly eternal suffering. The film’s theme will resonate with United supporters, particularly the post 2013 incarnation of Manchester United.

From David Moyes, to Louis Van Gaal, and now Jose Mourinho, United have stuttered and spluttered. The odd trophy aside, the dizzy heights of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign have never felt farther away. Mourinho’s “third season meltdown” is apparently well underway, spearheaded by the buffoonery of former captain Paul Pogba.

Whilst Mourinho is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, there is one person whose weakness in leadership has created a situation where Paul Pogba believes he can behave with impunity; Ed Woodward.

One of the key principles of successful leadership is alignment. From the top of an organisation to the bottom, each person should understand the organisation’s vision, and understand their role and responsibilities in achieving that vision. A successful Executive Vice Chairman of Manchester United should ensure that the manager is acknowledged as being in full control of the team/squad. If the manager deems a player to be disruptive and a bad influence on the rest of the squad, the Executive Vice Chairman should back the manager and remove the player from the playing squad. This sends a clear message to the rest of the squad that the manager is in charge, and if players do not perform, they will be disposed of.

What Ed Woodward has done instead is quite the opposite. Woodward has demonstrated that commercial partners and social media exposure are more important than the quality of the squad and their performances; “Playing performance doesn’t really have a meaningful impact on what we can do on the commercial side of the business.”.

The press briefing published in numerous national newspapers the night before the transfer window shut, is widely attributed to have come directly from Woodward. The briefing undermined Mourinho in his management of the playing squad. When players are seeing the Executive Vice Chairman undermine the manager publicly in this manner, is it any wonder that some players will challenge the manager’s authority?

It is to the dismay of United supporters that their two fiercest rivals, Manchester City and Liverpool, are currently playing the most entertaining football in the country. This is by no accident. Both clubs carefully selected their managers, backed them in player acquisitions and sales, and ensure that the manager is perceived as in control.

Liverpool’s league finishes under Klopp are 8th, 4th and 4th. Rather than dismissing Klopp, Liverpool have bought into Klopp’s vision, supported him, such that the playing squad are aligned and playing to his tune.

Since Abu Dhabi ploughed their petrodollars into City, it took three seasons to win their first trophy, four seasons to win their first league title, and six to eight seasons until they were perceived as the undisputed top dogs of English football. Building that kind of success takes time, patience and a clear vision.

Because of Woodward’s muddled thinking and reactionary methods, United face the prospect of having to sack their third manager in six seasons, remaining as far away from England’s top table as in David Moyes’ season.

If Ed Woodward wants to avoid another Groundhog day, he must back his manager’s stance on Paul Pogba, and dispose of him to send a clear message to the United squad. If Woodward is incapable of doing this, he needs to step aside and allow somebody more competent to lead the club.