Head of Team Operations exits Man Utd after 30 years

In October 2023, Kay, who is pictured above with former Manager Erik ten Hag, took on the title of Head of Team Operations. 

A Manchester United spokesperson told TGG: “We thank Jackie for everything she has done for the club and wish her the very best for the future. She will always be welcome at the club.

“In all her roles, she has demonstrated unwavering commitment and played a key part in the day-to-day life of Manchester United at Old Trafford, Carrington and on the road wherever the team was playing.”

United do still have a Director of Football Operations in David Harrison, who joined the club from Everton in February 2023. In an interview with TGG last year, Everton’s current Head of Football Operations, Jonathan Williams, explained that his job involved looking after the first-team fixture list in conjunction with the Premier League and club stakeholders; leading on matchday operations; disseminating the international call-ups that come in for players; and managing the club’s anti-doping whereabouts system.

INEOS Head of Sport Sir Dave Brailsford and United Technical Director Jason Wilcox have been leading a performance overhaul at the club. There is also a wider process of reducing overall staff numbers.

Prior to the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS in February 2024, United had more than 1100 employees. Last year INEOS, which holds a 29% stake in the club and controls football operations, started to try to reduce that headcount by 250.

Now the jobs of a further 100 employees are in jeopardy, with United having recently announced losses of £300m in the past three years.