Ameesh Manek: Manchester United Appoints Indian-Origin Director of Football

Manchester United has appointed Ameesh Manek as its Director of Football Operations, marking a significant addition to the club’s management team. Born in Tanzania to Indian-origin parents, Manek brings extensive Premier League and corporate experience to Old Trafford.

At United, he will oversee day-to-day football operations for both the men’s and women’s teams, managing everything from travel and logistics to training facilities, ensuring players and staff have the best environment to perform at their peak.

Career Journey

Manek started his professional journey in the corporate world, including a director role at Barclays Bank, before moving into sports administration. He also served on Basketball England’s board in 2012.

He entered football with Arsenal in 2015, initially focusing on academy development and later heading first-team operations in 2018. Manek joined Brentford, where he managed day-to-day club operations and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in July 2024.

While at Arsenal, Manek faced a rare setback in 2019 when he was fined £8,000 for misconduct during a Premier League match. Despite this, he is widely respected for bridging corporate expertise with football management.

Role at Manchester United

Operating primarily from the Carrington Training Centre, United’s £50 million state-of-the-art facility, Manek will oversee:

• Travel and logistics for men’s and women’s teams

• Player support and staff coordination

• Operational management of training and recovery facilities

His role ensures that players have access to the best environment for performance, training, and rehabilitation.

Significance of the Appointment

Manek’s appointment highlights the growing presence of Indian-origin professionals in top-tier English football management. Earlier this season, Sudarshan Gopaladesikan joined Newcastle United as Technical Director, signaling a trend of Indian talent making their mark in the Premier League at senior management levels.