Ed Woodward
Edward Woodward | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 9, 1971 Chelmsford, England |
| Occupation(s) | Investment banker, accountant, football executive |
| Years active | 1993–2022 |
| Known for | Executive vice-chairman and acting chief executive of Manchester United (2012–2022) |
Edward Gareth Woodward (born 9 November 1971) is an English investment banker and accountant who held the positions of executive vice-chairman and acting chief executive at Manchester United from 2012 until 2022. He was followed in these roles by Richard Arnold.
Education
Woodward was educated at Brentwood School between 1983 and 1989. He pursued a degree in physics at the University of Bristol, completing his studies in 1993. He earned his qualification as a chartered accountant in 1996.
Career
Starting his professional journey at PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1993, Woodward specialized in accounting and tax consultancy before transitioning to J.P. Morgan & Co. in 1999, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions.
In 2005, he played an advisory role for Malcolm Glazer and his family during their successful acquisition of Manchester United, subsequently joining the club to oversee financial planning.
By 2007, Woodward was responsible for managing the club’s commercial and media divisions, significantly increasing sponsorship income from £48.7 million in 2005 to £117.6 million by 2012 through international partnerships.
He was appointed to the club’s board and became executive vice-chairman in 2012. Following the retirement of CEO David Gill in 2013, Woodward took on the club’s leading operational position. Later, Richard Arnold succeeded him as director of commercial management.
In August 2016, Woodward facilitated the groundbreaking £89 million acquisition of Paul Pogba, making him the most expensive footballer globally at that time.
On 20 April 2021, amid widespread backlash regarding Manchester United’s involvement in the unsuccessful European Super League—a venture reportedly driven in part by Woodward—he declared his intention to resign effective early 2022. His leadership period ended during the club’s longest trophy drought since the mid-1980s, with a four-year span without winning any major titles.
Criticism
Throughout his tenure as Manchester United's chief executive, Woodward encountered persistent criticism.
His inaugural transfer window in 2013 was described as "disastrous" by The Daily Telegraph, notably featuring the signing of Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini from Everton, but failing to secure other key targets. This led some supporters to call for his removal.
In July 2014, newly appointed manager Louis van Gaal voiced concerns that the club’s heavy emphasis on commercial activities might detract from on-field achievements, advocating for a more balanced approach.
After the summer transfer window of 2018, media reports suggested that Woodward blocked manager José Mourinho's transfer requests from the previous season (2017–18), which intensified friction within the club and drew criticism from both Mourinho and fans regarding squad development stagnation.
In January 2020, Woodward’s home in Cheshire was targeted by angry supporters chanting threats. Comparable demonstrations took place at Old Trafford, with fans demanding that Woodward and the Glazer family—owners of Manchester United—resign from their positions.
Personal life
During his youth, Woodward supported non-league side Chelmsford City. His father was a follower of both Derby County and Manchester United, attending the club’s victory in the 1968 European Cup Final held at the original Wembley Stadium.