Eric Ramsay has left Manchester United for a new job (Image: Matthew Ashton/Getty Images)

First-team coach Eric Ramsay left Manchester United to join MLS team Minnesota United, and his remarks following his departure are similar to some of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s most recent criticisms.

When Eric Ramsay traded Manchester United for Minnesota United, he made a pointed allusion to the “strong football culture” of his new team.

Ramsay joined Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s staff in July 2021 and has been coaching United’s first team under Erik ten Hag. The 32-year-old is well-liked because, in 2019, he became the youngest British coach to obtain a UEFA Pro license.

He has now been named Minnesota’s new manager, taking over for interim head coach Cameron Knowles at the Major League Soccer team. After Sunday’s Premier League derby against Manchester City, Ramsay will step down from his current role, and United may take offense at some of his parting remarks.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining a club with such a strong football culture, a fanatic fan base and a brilliant infrastructure,” stated Ramsay. “Over the process, I’ve spoken with a number of the club’s employees, and you can’t help but sense their enthusiasm for advancing the organization.

“The club has an extremely exciting future ahead of it, and I’m excited to play a part in bringing that vision to life. I appreciate the club believing in me, and I hope this marks the beginning of another prosperous chapter for all Minnesota United supporters.”

The Red Devils released the following statement to confirm the story: “We would like to thank Eric for his contribution, and wish him the best of luck in the US in his first head-coach role.” In light of remarks made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the club’s new owner, Ramsay’s remarks are especially noteworthy.

Last week, Ratcliffe publicly criticized the culture at the club he recently purchased a 27.7% stake in, speaking to the Belgian newspaper De Tijd. Ratcliffe stated, “We have to look at the club’s organization because it is not good right now.” “For instance, Erik ten Hag, the head coach, is required to answer directly to the CEO. That’s not feasible in a contemporary football league anymore.

Eric Ramsay worked on Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff ( Image: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

The next step is to make sure the appropriate individuals are placed in the appropriate roles. Every manager needs to be at the top of their game. Next, it’s critical to establish a welcoming, encouraging, positive, and superior environment. Before, that culture was absent. A setting like this is the only way to bring out the best in athletes. If it is successful, the outcomes will happen on their own. That is the strategy, and I support it.

Ramsay joins Charlotte’s Dean Smith, Portland Timbers’ Phil Neville, Nashville’s Gary Smith, Toronto’s John Herdman, and New York City’s Nick Cushing as the sixth coach from the United Kingdom to accept a position in the Major League Soccer.

Ramsay was a player for Loughborough University and Welshpool Town. He started his coaching career there with Kieran McKenna, who is currently the manager of Ipswich and was previously under Solskjaer at United. In addition to United, he has coached Swansea, Shrewsbury, and Chelsea in the past.