Peter Kenyon, the former chief executive of Manchester United, has disclosed the reasons behind the failed transfer of Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho to Old Trafford, emphasizing concerns regarding the player’s entourage.
In the summer of 2003, Manchester United was vying to secure Ronaldinho from Paris Saint-Germain, but Barcelona ultimately completed a £21 million deal for the talented forward. During his illustrious tenure at Barcelona, Ronaldinho not only won the Ballon d’Or but also played a crucial role in clinching two La Liga titles and the UEFA Champions League.
Kenyon, speaking on “Rio Ferdinand Presents,” detailed the negotiations led by Sir Alex Ferguson and highlighted that United’s withdrawal stemmed from worries about Ronaldinho’s “environment.”
“We did chase him hard, we did look at him hard,” Kenyon said, dismissing rumors that United had previously agreed on a fee with PSG only to lower it. “This was the same as any other transfer, Alex would be involved in it—critical decisions like does he want him? Why does he want him? Where would he play? Who would he replace?”
Kenyon recounted that negotiations became complicated due to the number of people involved. “Normally, in these cases, you’re dealing with the player and his agent. Here, we’re dealing with the player, his several agents, and about 20 other people in the room,” he explained.
He expressed that bringing Ronaldinho to Manchester would introduce a different culture to the team. “This would be our first Brazilian, injecting that sort of culture around training. You know, not normally on time, which is a massive thing; Brazilian health culture is different,” Kenyon noted.
The former executive highlighted the challenges of integrating such a significant entourage into a club that prides itself on its institutional values. “It became a bigger issue than the money. We could’ve got an agreement with the club and with the player, but it was all starting to get to the edges. We came back and sort of said, ‘look, on balance, we don’t think this [will work].’”
Kenyon also referenced the recent departure of David Beckham, suggesting that the environment surrounding the club had become a vital consideration in their transfer decisions.
Ultimately, Ronaldinho’s move to Barcelona marked the beginning of a legendary chapter in his career, while Manchester United would continue to build their legacy under Sir Alex Ferguson without the Brazilian star.
