Commercial Boss: United In Good Financial Shape
Former United commercial boss Andy Anson claims United are in good shape despite the burden of a £660 million debt.
Anson announced his resignation last month and has confirmed that he will take up the new post of chief executive at ATP Europe - organisers of the men’s tennis tour - next April. Despite demands from fans’ pressure group MUST to dish the dirt on the reality of the Glazer regime, Anson claims all is well.
“Manchester United is in fantastic shape, both commercially and on the pitch,” he said. “It is a good time to be at the club and I can assure everyone it will be around for a long time yet. No-one should have any worries about that. We are top of the league, we are playing fantastically exciting football and, for the fans, that is what is important.
“I will certainly be sad to leave because it was a dream to get this job and I still marvel when I look up at my office every day when I come to work. I am very focussed at being successful in my career. I wanted a bigger, more autonomous role - and this is it. I may be leaving the club in one sense but I will still come here every week as a season ticket holder. It will be quite nice to turn up in my jeans and be able to jump up and swear at the referee without having to restrain myself.”
Anson revealed his confidence in United’s commercial prospects too. He added: “We have ridden out the storm with great success. The performances on the pitch combined with the commercial deals we have done mean everything is rosy. It terms of having a global, commercial partner we could not have anyone better than AIG.
“When I first arrived here I set out a detailed strategic plan and we have ticked every box. I very am proud of that. We have gone through the break clause in the Nike agreement, so we will be staying with them until 2015. That is good. We have also brought in people like Air Asia and Audi and done a lot of deals to improve our internal media.” AU
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