Source:REUTERS/Phil Noble
[Saba Sports News] According to British media reports, Manchester United is relocating its London office again, just two years after moving into the Kensington premises. As part of Jim Ratcliffe’s widespread cost-cutting initiatives, the club has terminated its 10-year lease early and will move to a new location in Covent Garden. United has decided to exit the lease for the luxurious Kensington office space, signed in 2023, early, opting instead for a slightly smaller office in Covent Garden. Staff have already vacated the Kensington location and will work from home until the new premises are ready. Internal sources suggest the move offers a better location, and while it will result in significantly lower rent, cost savings are not the primary driver. Manchester United was the first non-London club in the UK to establish a base in the capital, with other northern clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool later following suit. In 2023, the club moved its London office to the top floor of a newly built Kensington building, spanning 23,000 square feet and featuring a rooftop terrace. During a period of heavy spending, this new site featured a “tunnel” made of LED screens to create an immersive experience reminiscent of Old Trafford, simultaneously showcasing the brand’s presence at the “Theatre of Dreams” to potential sponsors. The building also housed two stylish bars, and United had exclusive use of the entire top floor at that time. However, following Ratcliffe becoming a co-owner, the club promptly initiated a cost review. Over the past two years, United has cut hundreds of staff positions, and the Kensington office was quickly identified as a reducible expense due to a decreased number of staff based in both London and Manchester.