ED WOODWARD has sensationally resigned as Man Utd executive vice-chairman with Man Utd confirming they are out of the European Super League project.
It follows a monumental day where Man City and Chelsea had earlier left the scheme.
Club legends Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham had earlier come out and slammed the ESL plans.
Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
THE FALL OF THE ESL
Man City and Chelsea sparked the collapse of the cursed European Super League in a glorious victory for people power.
The two Prem giants were the first of the hated Big Six to wave the white flag and condemn the £4.6billion breakaway to an early grave.
They were later followed by Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham and Manchester United, while Spanish clubs Barcelona and Atletico Madrid also pulled out less than two days after announcing their despised scheme.
City issued a statement just hours after boss Pep Guardiola had ridiculed the plans, branding them “not sport”.
It read: “City have formally enacted the procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans for a European Super League.”
Within hours Liverpool issued their own statement which read: “Our involvement in proposed plans to form a European Super League has been discontinued.”
It followed pressure from Reds skipper Jordan Henderson and the rest of the first team squad who tweeted: “We don’t like it and we don’t want it to happen.”
United, who with Liverpool were chief ringleaders of the plot, issued their own statement: “We have listened carefully to the reaction from our fans, the UK government and other key stakeholders.”
Arsenal and Spurs then issued their own grovelling apologies with the Gunners insisting they had only signed up so they were not “left behind”.
Arsenal said: “The response from supporters in recent days has given us time for further reflection and deep thought.
“It was never our intention to cause such distress.
“We didn’t make the right decision here, which we fully accept.
“We made a mistake, and we apologise for it.”
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy added: “We regret the anxiety and upset caused by the ESL proposal.
“We should like to thank all those supporters who presented their considered opinions.”
The evening began with hundreds of protesting Chelsea fans blocked roads around Stamford Bridge which led to the delay of last night’s 0-0 draw with Brighton.
Blues legend Petr Cech had to calm fans and told them: “Give us time.”
Then boss Thomas Tuchel announced: “I trust my club to take the right decisions.
“The owners know this game is about competition.”
Before the game, Blues bosses were preparing to draft their letter of resignation, while City had already told Super League bosses they were out.
Wembley chiefs, backing the Prem and supported by PM Boris Johnson, had promised the other 14 top-flight clubs they would refuse permission for the Big Six to join the rebel league.
Former England skipper Gary Lineker rejoiced: “We’ve got our ball back”.
The FA and Uefa welcomed the news after English football’s ruling body earlier threatened not to sanction any of the Super League games on English soil.
They said: “It was a proposition that could have divided our game but instead it has unified us.
“We would like to thank the fans for their influential voice during this time.”
Earlier, former Prem boss Richard Scudamore was spotted going into the League’s Paddington HQ ahead of a virtual club meeting which saw Spurs chairman Daniel Levy castigated despite admitting to being “shaken” by the national backlash.
WRIGHT-ING ON THE WALL
Ian Wright has called for Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke to LEAVE the club.
Arsenal joined the other five rebel Premier League clubs in pulling out of the proposed European Super League.
Ed Woodward announced he will step down as Manchester United’s chief executive at the end of the year.
But Arsenal fans have called for Kroenke’s exit – and have the backing of club legend Wright.
THEY THINK ITS ALL OVER
All six English clubs have now quit the hated European Super League in a massive victory for fan power.
Old Trafford chief executive Ed Woodward also resigned, while Arsenal, Spurs, United and Liverpool quit the £4.6billion project.
Chelsea were the first to do so, with Manchester City following after.
Massive protests by Chelsea supporters outside Stamford Bridge last night delayed their game against Brighton.
ARSENAL CONFIRM ESL EXIT
A statement read: “The last few days have shown us yet again the depth of feeling our supporters around the world have for this great club and the game we love.
“We needed no reminding of this but the response from supporters in recent days has given us time for further reflection and deep thought.
“It was never our intention to cause such distress, however when the invitation to join the Super League came, while knowing there were no guarantees, we did not want to be left behind to ensure we protected Arsenal and its future.
“As a result of listening to you and the wider football community over recent days we are withdrawing from the proposed Super League. We made a mistake, and we apologise for it.
“We know it will take time to restore your faith in what we are trying to achieve here at Arsenal but let us be clear that the decision to be part of the Super League was driven by our desire to protect Arsenal, the club you love, and to support the game you love through greater solidarity and financial stability.
“Stability is essential for the game to prosper and we will continue to strive to bring the security the game needs to move forward.
“The system needs to be fixed. We must work together to find solutions which protect the future of the game and harness the extraordinary power football has to get us on the edge of our seats.
“Finally, we know this has been hugely unsettling at the end of what has been an incredibly difficult year for us all.
“Our aim is always to make the right decisions for this great football club, to protect it for the future and to take us forward. We didn’t make the right decision here, which we fully accept.
“We have heard you.”
SPURS CONFIRM ESL EXIT
A statement read: “We can confirm that we have formally commenced procedures to withdraw from the group developing proposals for a European Super League (ESL).”
Chairman Daniel Levy said: “We regret the anxiety and upset caused by the ESL proposal. We felt it was important that our club participated in the development of a possible new structure that sought to better ensure financial fair play and financial sustainability whilst delivering significantly increased support for the wider football pyramid.
“We believe that we should never stand still and that the sport should constantly review competitions and governance to ensure the game we all love continues to evolve and excite fans around the world.
“We should like to thank all those supporters who presented their considered opinions.”
SPUR OF THE MOMENT
Following the news Chelsea, Man City, United and Liverpool have also pulled out of the proposed European Super League, Tottenham and Arsenal are set to follow.
It would mean all six Premier League sides who announced plans to move into the rebel breakaway ESL would have cancelled plans.
The Athletic report Arsenal are no longer looking to be involved, and according to Football.London, neither are Spurs.
MAN DOWN
Manchester United have also confirmed they will no longer pursue a move into the proposed European Super League.
It comes following the news City, Liverpool and Chelsea were also pulling out of the rebel breakaway ESL season.
A United statement read: “Manchester United will not be participating in the European Super League.
“We have listened carefully to the reaction from our fans, the UK government and other key stakeholders.
“We remain committed to working with others across the football community to come up with sustainable solutions to the long-term challenges facing the game.”
POOL OUT
Liverpool have confirmed they will no longer pursue a move into the proposed European Super League.
It comes following the news Manchester City and Chelsea were both also pulling out of the rebel breakaway ESL season.
Liverpool’s statement read: “Liverpool Football Club can confirm that our involvement in proposed plans to form a European Super League has been discontinued.
“In recent days, the club has received representations from various key stakeholders, both internally and externally, and we would like to thank them for their valuable contributions.”
CITY BREAK
Man City were the last of the initial six Prem clubs and the 12th in all to sign up to aplan hatched by Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester United and funded by US investment giant JP Morgan.
Like Chelsea, who are in the process of preparing their withdrawal documents, the Etihad outfit were understood to feel they had no option other than to join the breakaway.
That was despite both clubs’ hierarchies harbouring doubts over the project.
But the fear of missing out on a huge tranche of the initial £3bn joining pot and minimum £130m per year on offer saw both clubs take a bite out of the carrot.
City’s concerns have grown over the past 24 hours, with the backlash intensifying as fans groups castigated the rebel clubs.
FOOTBALL SAVED
The European Super League lies in tatters this evening as Chelsea and Manchester City QUIT with Arsenal set to follow.
The FA, Uefa and Prime Minister Boris Johnson joined in the chorus of joy as ESL plans crumbled, while Manchester United confirmed executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is QUITTING “at the end of 2021”.
It is also believed that Atletico Madrid have pulled out of the 12-club rebel league, while Barcelona have said they will put the proposal to their fans before deciding.
In what will be a potentially fatal blow to the £4.6billion scheme, Man City chiefs decided they could no longer be party to the plans that have rocked football to its very foundations.
And in a brief statement, the club confirmed: “Manchester City Football Club can confirm that it has formally enacted the procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans for a European Super League.”
Uefa president, Aleksander Ceferin welcomed City “back to the European football family”.
WHAT A TONIC
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have taunted the European Super League by TOASTING its spectacular collapse.
Fans’ mass protests brought the 12-club, closed-shop league crashing down as suddenly it was announced just three days.
And Manchester United legend Neville was followed by ex-Liverpool hero Jamie Carragher in posting joyous photos on social media as they drinked to the ESL’s sudden demise.
Both particularly condemned their own club’s owners, with “disgusted” Nev one of the most outspoken critics of the “criminal act”.
Fans from all across the country quickly lapped up the duo’s celebrations of the Tuesday night U-turn.
RED DANGER
Share prices in the Red Devils have CRASHED amid Tuesday night’s European Super League chaos.
Sky Sports reporter Bryan Swanson revealed that United’s share prices have gone done dramatically.
Shares were down 6.60 per cent at 16.12 USD this afternoon.
ENDFIELD
Liverpool owner John Henry has been warned there’s no way back for him by Graeme Souness.
And the ex-Reds player and manager warned that the relationship between the board and Anfield faithful will be ‘damaged forever’.
Souness said on Sky Sports: “It’s been so underhanded, these are relationships that will take some mending.
“The biggest one is not chairman to chairman – it’s chairman to supporters.
“I know what Scousers are like. The will not forgive John Henry for this. I can’t see how he gets back from this.”
SIMPLY DE BEST
Kevin de Bruyne speaks out following the news Man City will walk away from the proposed European Super League.
HEADS WILL ROLL
Ed Woodward resigning from Manchester United is ‘just the beginning’ of European Super League fallout, Graeme Souness reckons.
Souness thinks there will be more casualties given how bosses had kept their plans quiet for months before Sunday’s bombshell announcement.
He said: “For six to nine months, they’ve been playing the game knowing that next season it won’t apply to them.
“These chairmen have been going to meetings knowing their intention was to pull out of the Premier League.
“It’s outrageous. How do they correct that situation? How can they ever go to one of these meetings ever again and sit there and be taken seriously?
“Ed Woodward is just the beginning.”
STERLING JOB
Raheem Sterling has reacted to the news Man City officially confirmed their intentions to walk away from the proposed European Super League.
CITY OF LOVE
UEFA President, Aleksander Ceferin welcomed the withdrawal of Manchester City from the breakaway closed league project.
He said: “I am delighted to welcome City back to the European football family.
“They have shown great intelligence in listening to the many voices – most notably their fans – that have spelled out the vital benefits that the current system has for the whole of European football; from the world beating Champions League final right down to a young player’s first coaching session at a grassroots club.
“As I said at the UEFA Congress, it takes courage to admit a mistake but I have never doubted that they had the ability and common sense to make that decision.
“City are a real asset for the game and I am delighted to be working with them for a better future for the European game.”
NO AVERAGE JOE
Manchester United’s co-chairman Joe Glazer has spoken out after Ed Woodward’s depature from the club.
He said: “Ed Woodward has served the club with great distinction.
“On behalf of everyone at United I would like to place on record our sincere thanks for his tireless work and dedication.
“His contribution to the club has been massive, and he will always be welcome at Old Trafford as a part of the Manchester United family.”
CITY BREAK
Manchester City have officially confirmed their intentions to walk away from the proposed European Super League.
Manchester City Football Club can confirm that it has formally enacted the procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans for a European Super League.
ED WOODWARD’S STATEMENT IN FULL
Ed 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 the foundations are in place for us to win it back for our passionate fans.
“Our world-famous academy is flourishing again, with 34 players progressing into the first team since 2013, and it has been a pleasure to watch talents such as Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Axel Tuanzebe flourish in the first team environment.
“In the years to come the club’s production line of young talent will continue to push established first team players for their places. That competition bodes well for the future.
“We have also established Manchester United women and their progress is further evidence of the demand for success at this great club.
“The last 16 months have brought so many unique challenges and the club’s work in the community and around the world during the Covid-19 pandemic has been heroic.
“The financial impact on football clubs has been severe, but United have been one of the most robust and resilient in the face of extraordinary financial pressures.
“I would like to thank United’s passionate fans for their support during the good and bad times. I know this has been a challenging period in our history, but your support for the team has never, ever been in doubt.
“Finally, it has been a pleasure to work with so many magnificent, talented and hard-working people.”
FIRE BURNING
Sevilla appear to be relishing in the madness and fallout of the proposed European Super League.
The Spaniards – who had confirmed the would not be participating in the rebel ESL – posted a GIF to poke fun at the situation.
JOHN TOP OF IT
Prime Minster Boris Johnson hailed Chelsea and Man City after it was reported they have decided to walk away from the proposed European Super League.
Johnson tweeted: “The decision by Chelsea and Manchester City is – if confirmed – absolutely the right one and I commend them for it.
“I hope the other clubs involved in the European Super League will follow their lead.”
LIVERPOOL SPEAK OUT
The Premier League champions, through Jordan Henderson, have voiced their opposition against the proposed European Super League.
He wrote: “We don’t like it and we don’t want it to happen.
“This is our collective position.
“Our commitment to this football club and its supporters are absolute and unconditional.
“You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
