In an interview with The Times, Ratcliffe, the new owner of Manchester United, not only shared his journey to acquiring the club and his outlook on the future of the club, but also talked about his multiple identities as a mountaineer, beekeeper, environmentalist, and his deep affection for fishing as a personal hobby.
Regarding the Manchester United takeover, Ratcliffe said that although the process encountered various challenges and obstacles, both parties eventually found a satisfactory solution. He emphasized that it was crucial to maintain a good relationship with the Glazer family as they are both passionate about the club. Ratcliffe understands the responsibility of United as one of the most popular clubs in the world and has vowed to get United back on track and at least in the top eight in European football.
Addressing the issue of frequent management changes at the club, Ratcliffe pointed out that since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure, there have been frequent management changes at the club, which has led to managerial instability. He singled out the challenges faced by Ten Hagar, suggesting that he has had to deal with a variety of external issues while sorting out the squad. Despite this, Ratcliffe recognized Ten Hagar's efforts.
In addition to soccer, Ratcliffe is a passionate hiker, beekeeper, and environmentalist. He purchased a large swath of Icelandic wilderness to protect it from development and has thrown himself into the conservation of Atlantic salmon. He encourages other anglers to participate in conservation programs by catch-and-release to help marine biologists study the causes of declining fish populations. Ratcliffe says his love of fishing is not just for recreation, but to protect this precious natural resource.
In the interview, Ratcliffe also shares his experiences and tips on fishing in Iceland. He mentioned Iceland's unique natural beauty and abundant fish stocks and encouraged people to come and experience this unique fishing trip. He emphasized that it is everyone's responsibility to protect the ecological balance of the oceans and that fishing, as a sustainable form of recreation, can be enjoyed while contributing to ecological conservation.
