Former Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has returned to employment as a non-executive director at an Esports company.
Although I can’t imagine Ed Woodward being any good at FIFA or Call of Duty, the 51-year-old is expected to bring his business expertise to the field of Esports. The devastating reality that he called the shots at our football club still beggars belief.
However, after 11 years at Manchester United, Woodward stepped down from his role in February last year amid criticism from pundits and fans regarding not just the running of the club – but the European Super League debacle.
The ESL was the straw that broke the camel’s bank and fans are hoping the same applies to the Glazer family this year.
But Woodward has just returned to work as a non-executive director at Estars — an award-winning educational Esports business founded in 2017. They are renowned for hosting events worldwide from the UK to the Middle East.
In a statement on the Estars website, Woodward said: “When you put together Esports, education and a dynamic region such as the Middle East, where curriculum decisions can be made faster than Europe, it is a recipe for success.
“Joining the team is an easy decision when you add the exceptional leadership and entrepreneurial energy.
“I’m excited about Estars delivering a path of learning for the next generation in the new industry of Esports.”
Woodward was responsible for advising Malcolm Glazer during the family’s controversial takeover of the football club in 2005. Two years on from that, he landed himself a job in charge of commercial and media operations.
In his executive role, however, Woodward was replaced by Richard Arnold, who doesn’t get in the way of football operations so much.
We’re all glad to see the back of him and hope the Glazers go the same way.
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