New Manchester United chief executive David Gill is determined to dispel the impression that his appointment as Peter Kenyon's successor was a rushed decision.
Kenyon has accepted an offer to defect to Roman Abramovich's Russian revolution at Chelsea, a move that Gill himself admitted was a "bolt out of the blue". But the 45-year-old's elevation from managing director looks like a move planned in advance by the club's plc board. Gill has already stepped into Kenyon's shoes once before, replacing him as deputy chief executive three years ago when Kenyon took on the role that made him a Chelsea target. And the former First Choice Holidays executive - who joined the club as finance director in 1997 - believes he can repeat the transition. He told MUTV: "Hopefully, the decision is the right one. The board didn't make a rushed decision, it is about succession and these decisions are thought through. "It's not as if I'm coming in new to the situation. I'm very excited about it, it is an honour to be asked to help Manchester United reach the next level." While Kenyon's position was thought to have been undermined by the collapse of the Ronaldinho transfer deal, his tenure has undoubtedly been a successful one. He is widely credited with turning United into world leaders on the commercial front but he has also attracted praise for his strong relationship with manager Sir Alex Ferguson and his fan-friendly approach. All of which makes him a hard act to follow, but Gill is confident he can fill the breach. "It's about making sure we turn more fans into customers, making sure we are at the forefront on and off the field," he said. "I've known Alex for six and a half years and worked with him on all the deals and I hope to enjoy as close a relationship with Alex that Peter had." Whatever the contingency plans put in place by the United board, however, Kenyon's resignation, followed by an announcement he had accepted an offer to become "chief executive officer of the Chelsea group of companies", is not something United were in control of. Kenyon is now officially on 'gardening leave' but a statement released on his behalf claimed Chelsea had made him an offer he could not refuse. "Peter Kenyon has been offered the job of chief executive of the Chelsea group of companies, a position he has accepted," said the statement. "He has enjoyed his six years at United enormously but feels this opportunity represents a challenge it is right to take at this stage of his career." It is thought Kenyon has been offered a huge salary hike from his �700,000-a-year Old Trafford post but the chance to work without the controls of a plc board might also have proved attractive. Ironically, only two months ago, as the first suggestions that Juan Sebastian Veron was about to leave United for Chelsea began to emerge, Kenyon claimed the Abramovich-inspired �100million-plus Stamford Bridge spending spree was good for the game as a whole. "The Chelsea situation is quite unique," he said "The transfer market is very flat but clearly the deals that have been done within England will be circulating around the market again which is positive for the game in this country. "All you can say is what has happened there will see them continue to get stronger." Kenyon's advisors were refusing to answer why a confirmed United fan would ditch the club in favour of one which is unlikely to ever generate the same worldwide appeal, no matter how much money is spent. But Oliver Houston, spokesman for the influential Shareholders' United supporters' group, offered some thoughts. "We can only speculate on the remuneration package Kenyon has been offered to give up managing one of the world's biggest football clubs to move to a club with very little international reach or profile," he said. "Peter Kenyon always made great play of his loyalty to the club and his dyed-in-the-wool support for United. How sad that loyalty appears to have been so easily bought." ________________________________________________________________________ Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Yahoo! Messenger http://mail.messenger.yahoo.co.uk ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for Your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at Myinks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/l.m7sD/LIdGAA/qnsNAA/tsUolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> *************************************** Reply to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe from the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
