The chief scout and head of global scouting have departed.
Manchester United’s two leading scouts – Jim Lawlor and Marcel Bout – have both left the club, as reported by The Athletic.
Lawlor, the club’s chief scout, arrived at Old Trafford in 2005 and was named chief scout in 2014. Bout, the head of global scouting, joined the Red Devils under then-manager Louis van Gaal, initially as a coach before moving into scouting.
The report adds that both men played significant roles in the club’s recruitment, which has been criticised by several people throughout the campaign.
In a statement to The Athletic, Manchester United said: “Jim Lawlor has decided to step down from his role as Chief Scout in the Summer after 16 years with the club.
“During that time, Jim played a key role in the development of multiple trophy-winning Manchester United teams and was an important source of guidance to Sir Alex Ferguson and each of the managers who have followed him.
Not quite sure we’re going to see a revolution. Jim has been marginalised for years so this won’t shift the dial. https://t.co/LcVeng5eiW
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) April 20, 2022
“Jim leaves the club with our warmest thanks for his significant contribution and our very best wishes for the future.
“Marcel Bout has departed from his role as Head of Global Scouting after eight years with the club. A respected figure within and outside of Manchester United, Marcel has played an important part as an assistant coach and in the strengthening of our scouting capabilities in recent years.
“Marcel leaves the club with our warmest thanks for his significant contribution and our very best wishes for the future.”
John Murtough – United’s first-ever football director – is thought to have complete control of the football operations, which has seen him implement a number of changes in hope of turning the club around.
One of those changes will be the imminent appointment of Erik ten Hag, who has reached an agreement in principle to become United’s next permanent manager.
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