Jim Lawlor, the club’s chief scout, and Marcel Bout, the club’s head of recruitment, have both left the club amid reports of a shake-up at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are undergoing a period of transition, with Erik ten Hag set to succeed Ralf Rangnick after the season and the squad in desperate need of a makeover.
Man United were humiliated in a 4-0 loss to Liverpool on Tuesday night, thereby ending their chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season. The Red Devils have dropped to the sixth position, two points behind fifth-placed Arsenal after playing two more games, and three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who have a game in hand.
So, while Man United is currently in a moment of uncertainty on the field, those behind the scenes have proceeded with their summer plans, beginning with the restructuring of their scouting system.
Lawlor, who has been with Man Utd since 2005 and was elevated to his current position in 2014 during Louis van Gaal’s first season, will depart the club this summer. Bout joined the club after Van Gaal’s arrival, initially as a coach and then as a scout.
“Jim Lawlor has decided to step down from his role as chief scout in the summer after 16 years with the club,” Man Utd said in a statement to The Athletic. “Marcel leaves the club with our warmest thanks for his significant contribution and our very best wishes for the future.”
Rangnick stated that Man Utd need to rebuild their playing roster, calling for up to ten new arrivals this summer – but only once the Red Devils have hammered down their preferred playing style.
