Manchester United co-chairman Joel Glazer tried to persuade Ed Woodward not to resign when he offered to quit the club yesterday, according to reports.
Executive vice-chairman Woodward has resigned from his role after seeing his position as untenable following the demise of the European Super League plans, which triggered condemnation from supporters.
Now, The Times reports that American owner Glazer tried to talk Woodward out of quitting yesterday morning, but was unsuccessful.
The report details that Woodward is understood to have told those closest to him that trying to establish the Super League was one of the biggest mistakes of his career and he regrets it.
Club sources said that Woodward was planning to leave at the end of the year anyway — and is set to remain until then — but the announcement had been brought forward to avoid leaks.
Woodward was a key figure in fiercely controversial plans for the new breakaway league, with his links to US investment bank JP Morgan helping to secure the £4.3billion in financing.
Confirming his decision on Tuesday night, Woodward said: 'I am extremely proud to have served United and it has been an honour to work for the world's greatest football club for the past 16 years.
'The club is well positioned for the future and it will be difficult to walk away at the end of the year.
'I will treasure the memories from my time at Old Trafford, during a period when we won the Europa League, the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. I am proud of the regeneration of the club's culture and our return to the Manchester United way of playing.
'We have invested more than £1bn in the squad during my time here and I am particularly delighted with the progress the players have made under the astute leadership of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his coaching team in the last two years.
'I am sure that with the changes we have made on-field and to the coaching and football staff in recent years, this great club will soon be lifting silverware again. It deserves to.
'I desperately wanted the club to win the Premier League during my tenure and I am certain that the foundations are in place for us to win it back for our passionate fans.'
Chidon_Sports
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I didn't know Maguire was so brave enough to confront Woodward yesterday. The nomenclature Fridge has to end today. The guy is fearless