Former OGC Nice manager Adrian Ursea has offered an insight into INEOS’ ownership of a football club, explaining that impending Manchester United investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe is unlikely to get in the way of manager Erik ten Hag.
The British billionaire, who is the founder of INEOS, is on the cusp of finalising a deal to secure a 25 per cent stake in United. Talks have been ongoing for several months and there is a growing understanding that an announcement could arrive within the coming days.
Should INEOS get the deal over the line, United will become the third football club under their umbrella, already owning both Nice and Swiss side FC Lausanne-Sport. INEOS purchased Nice in 2019 and the French outfit has been on a steady upward trajectory, currently finding themselves second in Ligue 1, just a point behind Paris Saint-Germain.
Prior to INEOS’ arrival, Nice were troubled by financial difficulties. However, once the chemical giant got its feet under the table, those fears disappeared.
“The biggest difference was the club became certain there would no longer be problems with money,” Ursea, told the Mirror. “The first time I was there there were huge financial problems but once INEOS arrived – they went.
“I saw Jim sometimes but he only visited training sessions once or twice – not more. We never felt the pressure about Jim because in this period I saw much more of his brother Bob.
