Man City's Omar Berrada succession plan and why his Manchester United switch won't derail Blues

Manchester United made a statement appointment by poaching Omar Berrada from Manchester City to be their new CEO.

As Jim Ratcliffe goes around talking about knocking people off their perches, United are busy trying to add to their list of Red Avengers; Newcastle's Dan Ashworth has been picked out as the ideal figure to lead their recruitment while Southampton director of football and former City academy boss Jason Wilcox is also targeted. After a decade of being dominated by City, a serious recruitment drive is under way to try and catch up.

Down the M62, Liverpool have managed to convince Michael Edwards to return to help them cope with life after Jurgen Klopp. It remains to be seen whether Xabi Alonso will be the next manager but the hiring of Edwards along with Richard Hughes from Bournemouth is seen as a sign that they mean business. It is also a coup, given the various opportunities that Edwards has turned down since leaving Liverpool in 2022.

ALSO READ: City given a double boost that Guardiola was hoping for

ALSO READ: City's Grealish risk can help counter Arsenal plan

At the Etihad, there has been no big announcement to replace Berrada, on gardening leave until the end of the season. There may not even be one.

That isn't to pass comment on the Liverpool or United strategy, but to reflect what City are and how they have built success to mean that a major departure doesn't necessarily leave an enormous hole. Berrada leaving hurt the club, but they could accept it and move on.

There are similarities to the first team, where numerous players and staff have left without necessarily being replaced. Guardiola lost his long-term assistant Domenec Torrent at the end of the 2017/18 season and won the league with 98