Ed Woodward has taken on his first role since leaving Manchester United - as a non-executive director at an esports company.
Woodward, 51, spent 16 years at Old Trafford and was named as the club's executive vice-chairman back in 2013. However, he became a much-maligned figure amongst the fanbase prior to his exit back in February 2022.
Richard Arnold stepped in to steer the ship after Woodward's exit, and the former United chief has kept a low profile ever since. It emerged on Tuesday, though, that Woodward had landed his first role since walking away from Manchester United after agreeing to join EStars: an educational esports company.
The company, which was founded in 2017, has won awards for providing educational esports and has hosted almost 100 live events throughout the UK and Ireland. EStars' flagship office is based in Abu Dhabi.
Woodward joins Norwich City goalkeeper Tim Krul on the company's board. In a statement on Estars' official 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 of Mags. I’m excited about EStars delivering a path of learning for the next generation in the (relatively) new industry of esports.”
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Woodward enjoyed great success in Manchester United's commercial department before stepping up to fill the void left by David Gill back in 2013. He was heavily scrutinised, though, on a number of the club's transfer dealings.
He announced his decision to step down from his role shortly after the European Super League scandal which occurred back in 2021.
It was suggested back in November that Woodward could play a part in negotiating any possible takeover of Manchester United as a result of his relationship with the Glazer family.
He joined the club after the Glazers' leveraged buyout in 2005 and The Mail claimed that he had been approached by parties interested in striking a deal with the Glazers for the club.
After announcing that they were seeking "strategic alternatives" back in November, the Glazer family appointed the Raine Group to oversee a takeover progress which has still not concluded.
After staging three separate rounds of bidding, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani are believed to be the two main parties vying for a deal. Recent reports have indicated that Ratcliffe is the Glazers' preferred bidder.
Avram and Joel Glazer would likely retain a small stake in the club should Ratcliffe's proposal be successful, but the Ineos chief would be in control of the club.
