Manchester United have sacked an employee who was seen as "the mum to everyone" as part of further cost-cutting measures taken by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.
Since acquiring a 27 per cent stake for £1 billion and taking control of operations at United in February 2024, INEOS, led by Ratcliffe, have caused a huge stir with a number of controversial decisions made in a bid to free up funds.
Ratcliffe faced huge backlash for charging staff members £20 for coach travel to the FA Cup final last season, with captain Bruno Fernandes offering to pay for everything out of his own pocket but being knocked back by the club.
Other controversials include sparking protests with huge hikes in ticket prices, as well as cutting ambassadorial salaries and ending a long-standing £2.16 million arrangement with legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
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250 members of staff were made redundant in the summer and further employees are poised to be axed in the near future, as per talkSPORT.
And according to The Times, one of the club's most popular workers has been told she is being given the boot.
Jackie Kay has been with the Red Devils since 1995, working as CEO David Gill's executive assistant, overseeing first team logistics at the Carrington training ground and head of team operations before being relieved of her duties.
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Though it's said the decision is not linked to fresh redundancies and instead part of a "wider performance overhaul", Kay was told of her "brutal" departure last week - with staff "upset" by the sad news.
Seen as the "oil in the machine", Kay was well-liked by a host of players and coaches who were at United - with Ashley Young speaking glowingly of her and how she would go the extra mile.
Young, who played 261 times for United, said: "She's just brilliant. She's like the mum to everyone. If there are any problems or there is anything we need sorting out it's a case of 'Jackie can you do this', 'Jackie can you help with this'.
"I'm sure there are times when she looks at her phone when it's ringing and she must think 'no, I'm not answering'. But she's always there for you."
Ratcliffe defends "difficult" decisions
Ratcliffe is believed to have invested around £241 million into United since becoming a minority shareholder. The majority of that amount is going towards renovating the club's training ground, but funds are also required for the potential redevelopment of Old Trafford - or an entirely new stadium.
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There is also the fact that United must comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR). Speaking to the United We Stand fanzine in December, Ratcliffe defended the constant cost-cutting.
"To get Manchester United to where we need to get it - it's a bit like the country," he stated.
"We have to make some difficult and unpopular decisions.
"If you shy away from the difficult decisions then nothing much is going to change."
Topics: Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Premier League
Josh Lawless