Ed Woodward used the texting method to send Wayne Rooney messages on holiday from Manchester United, in an effort to be seen as a man of people.
After a difficult tenure as CEO, Red Devils chief will resign as executive vice-chairman.
The 50-year-old took charge of the 2013/14 season. He tried to keep Sir Alex Ferguson’s legacy alive, but United are now in the midst of a decade of Premier League titles.
Woodward was a personable, approachable and friendly man during his tenure.
However, he didn’t always manage to do so.
One example in The AthleticIt was shocking to learn that Woodward used text messages to Rooney describing his’mateys’, in an effort to appear as one of the lads.
The executive vice-chairman called him by sending messages “Wazza”The United Forward found this ‘a bit odd’.
The report states that despite earning £3.1m-a-year, Woodward wanted to be portrayed as a regular guy and was unaware of how the texts came across to the Man Utd star.
Is Ed Woodward’s reign the worst in club history? We’d love to hear from you in the comments section.
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Woodward will pass on the baton to Richard Arnold when he steps down from his role at the end of the month, bringing an end to his eight-and-a-half-year reign.
Only a few managers were there during his tenure: Jose Mourinho (Ole Gunnar Solskjaer), Louis van Gaal (David Moyes), Jose Mourinho (Jose Mourinho) – all of whom fell short of expectations at United.
The quartet was unable to provide a single Europa League trophy, one League Cup or a FA Cup in eight seasons. That’s a disappointing return from one of English football’s most decorated sides.
The United chief was also a key figure behind the controversial European Super League.
