Ralf Rangnick is still aiming to add to his backroom staff at Manchester United, i understands.
But moves to bring in additional support staff to support his Old Trafford overhaul have been slowed by post-Brexit red tape in a move that may be a portent of problems to come for Premier League and EFL clubs as they grapple with relatively new rules since the UK left the EU.
Rangnick is not looking for additional coaching support but ideally wants to add a couple of trusted lieutenants who can help him analyse and support “football operations” during his initial spell until the end of the season. He has already added sports psychologist Sascha Lense and coach Chris Armas – who both had to apply for a visa before taking up their roles.
Automatic qualification for a work permit is part of Premier League rules if a manager or coach has held a high-profile role elsewhere, but for support staff the rules are more difficult to navigate.
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Premier League sources admitted it may be difficult to make a case, for example, that an inexperienced but talented analyst required exemption from work permit rules.
Solicitor John Kiely, an immigration expert at Fragomen, said: “It will be interesting to see if visa issues become a trend with European managers and coaches going forward. Clubs must get to grips with the new rules. This could become more of an issue for lower league clubs, whose managerial targets from the continent may find it more difficult to meet the FA’s criteria for endorsement.”
Newcastle set to fight back against Premier League rule change
Newcastle United are ready to challenge new sponsorship rules voted into force this week by Premier League clubs if they feel they are being treated unfairly.
The new rules are a direct result of concerns about Newcastle’s owners being able to sign inflated sponsorship deals with Saudi companies after the PIF-backed takeover.
Newcastle are understood to have a series of Saudi deals lined up, with boosting the club’s commercial income – which remained static during Mike Ashley’s time in charge – a key part of the takeover consortium’s business plan.
The new regulations – which Newcastle and Manchester City voted against – will require the club to submit the sponsorship agreements to the Premier League and then prove any deals represent “true market value” to an independent company.
What this means in practice, the Magpies believe, is a ceiling on their worth based on Newcastle’s current status, rather than perceived potential.
Club sources said Newcastle reserve the right to challenge the rules as anti-competitive, having seen Ashley’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) case against the Premier League put pressure on the takeover before it was finally passed in October.
It was reported that Amanda Staveley, who was part of the working group that discussed the rules, warned the new regulations could be challenged in court before they were voted through. Although the United ownership consortium want to have a “good relationship” with the Premier League and rivals clubs it certainly sets the scene for a new front to be opened in the Newcastle takeover saga in 2022.
Man Utd fans at heart of cancellation, league insist
The Premier League insist that the late-night call to postpone Manchester United’s game at Brentford was done with Red Devils fans in mind after criticism that fans were left in the dark.
We understand a 10.30pm Premier League board meeting was called on Monday night to discuss Manchester United’s request to postpone the match after a Covid-19 outbreak caused their Carrington training ground to be temporarily shut.
That led to criticism of the league for the timing of their decision – especially when there was an acknowledgement at Brentford that the game was highly unlikely to happen – but the Premier League insist they were waiting for the result of tests carried out on the first team group before making a call.
Other Premier League teams with Covid-19 issues have seen their requests turned down because they had sufficient numbers of players and support staff to fulfil the fixture.
Sources told i the late board meeting – rather than delaying a decision until Tuesday – was held with a view to keeping supporters informed and ensuring that they would know by the morning of the game of the postponement. Without the results of the tests that were taken on Monday morning, the league says, the game would have gone ahead.
The rule is that if there are 14 senior players available, a match should be played. But exceptions can be made, and one was in the Red Devils’ case.
It is acknowledged, however, that processes may need to be refined now that supporters are back in grounds. Last year calls could be left late with fans watching at home on TV.
Man City job advert spotted
Manchester City are widening the net in their bid to bring in the best young players with the appointment of a new technical scout in their growing Emerging Talent department.
A job advert has been circulated looking for “high level knowledge of football talent” across the markets that cover City Football Group – including the Premier League, Football League, Japanese leagues and Australian and American markets.
The job is a key part of the club’s scouting network and – in another nod to the trend towards using technology – is mainly based on video assessments.
Benitez interested in Newcastle’s Longstaff
Everton manager Rafa Benitez is understood to be monitoring the availability of his former Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff, who is nearing the end of his contract at St James’ Park.
Longstaff’s deal ends in the summer and he can talk to overseas clubs in January with a view to a pre-contract agreement.
He has held talks with Newcastle over an extension but is keeping his options open and that may open the door for Benitez, the man who gave him his debut in 2018.
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