Manchester United transfer chief Matt Judge has reportedly resigned as head of corporate development.
The Athletic report that Judge, who was responsible for transfers and contracts at Old Trafford, is currently working out a notice period but is expected to depart later this year. Judge is said to have been considering his position over the past few weeks, with spring seeing the departure of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and two of the Red Devils' most prominent footballing figures, chief scout Jim Lawlor and head of global scouting Marcel Bout.
The reshuffle, which will affect their crucial summer transfer window, comes ahead of Erik ten Hag 's arrival as United's new manager for the start of next season. The Ajax boss will replace interim manger Ralf Rangnick, who has presided over first-team affairs since December following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. After being confirmed as Austria 's boss on Friday, the 63-year-old promised to work with the Red Devils on a consultancy basis as planned.
Judge had been involved in United's transfer business since the summer 2014 and was described by former manager Louis van Gaal as Woodward's "right hand." His exit leaves John Murtough in full control of football operations at Old Trafford and he is claimed to be a driving force as the Red Devils continued to experience behind-the-scenes changes following his appointment as Football Director last March.
United began their reshuffle with Richard's Arnold's appointment as chief executive last month, replacing the unpopular Woodward after nine largely disappointing years at the helm. Then came the departures of Lawlor and Bout, who had been integral to shaping the Red Devils' current first-team squad.
"Jim Lawlor has decided to step down from his role as Chief Scout in the Summer after 16 years with the club," United confirmed in a statement. "During that time, Jim played a key role in the development of multiple trophy-winning Manchester United teams and was an important source of guidance to Sir Alex Ferguson and each of the managers who have followed him.
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"Jim leaves the club with our warmest thanks for his significant contribution and our very best wishes for the future. Marcel Bout has departed from his role as Head of Global Scouting after eight years with the club.
A respected figure within and outside of Manchester United, Marcel has played an important part as an assistant coach and in the strengthening of our scouting capabilities in recent years. Marcel leaves the club with our warmest thanks for his significant contribution and our very best wishes for the future."
