Christopher Vivell has been appointed as Manchester United’s director of global talent on a temporary basis.
The Athletic reported earlier this month that Vivell’s arrival at Old Trafford was on an initial short-term contract to help with the summer transfer window. He will report to the club’s newly-appointed sporting director Dan Ashworth.
Vivell, 37, officially started his role on Thursday (July 4) and will assist United by lending his expertise around player recruitment and talent ID.
Although Vivell’s appointment is a temporary one, there is a possibility that he becomes a full-time employee at the club.
Vivell worked as a video analyst and scout with German club Hoffenheim before moving to RB Leipzig, initially as head of scouting before becoming a technical director involved in constructing the Bundesliga club’s squad.
Vivell joined Chelsea as technical director in December 2022 before leaving Stamford Bridge in July 2023.
At United, he will report to Ashworth who in turn will oversee the club’s football departments, including technical, performance and operations areas.
Also reporting to Ashworth will be United’s technical director Jason Wilcox, who will help assist manager Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff implement a clear game model and football methodology that will run from the club’s first-team down to its academy, while also leading on first-team player recruitment.
Vivell role’s will include recommending the best available talent for the men’s first-team squad which fits with the game model, while identifying emerging talents who will fit into the club’s strategy.
Sporting director Ashworth will report to the club’s new CEO Omar Berrada, who will start work on July 13 after joining from Manchester City.
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