INEOS part ways with team CEO

Manchester United’s wider INEOS sporting structure continues to see significant movement across its global sports portfolio, with leadership changes now extending beyond football into elite cycling.

Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe expanded INEOS’ influence across multiple sports, the organisation has overseen both INEOS Grenadiers in cycling and Manchester United in football, alongside broader performance projects aimed at restoring elite-level success.

INEOS Grenadiers, formerly dominant in the sport with seven Tour de France victories between 2012 and 2019 under Team Sky and INEOS branding, have struggled to maintain that level in the post-Pogacar and Vingegaard era, with the two riders winning every Tour since 2020.

There were signs of recovery in 2025, with the team securing two Tour de France stage wins and three at the Vuelta a Espana, but internal leadership shifts suggested deeper changes were coming.

John Allert part ways as CEO of INEOS

One of the most notable developments is the departure of John Allert, CEO of INEOS Grenadiers, who left the team just one day before the Giro d’Italia, according to The Athletic.

John Allert originally joined INEOS in 2021 in a consultancy role before being promoted to CEO in December 2023, tasked with reversing the team’s decline.

His exit comes amid the growing influence of Sir Dave Brailsford, who returned to INEOS’ cycling project in 2025 after previously stepping back to focus on his wider INEOS Sport role, which also includes involvement at Manchester United.

Sir Dave Brailsford had played a major part in INEOS’ football structure after the group took minority ownership but full control of sporting operations at Manchester United in February 2024.

Following his cycling return, the team continued to insist Allert remained CEO, but over time Brailsford’s influence became increasingly dominant, with his role still not formally clarified a year later.

INEOS’ internal communication structure has also remained unusually opaque, with Brailsford referred to as “team principle” in rebrand materials, while former rider Geraint Thomas has frequently appeared in official communications as head of racing.

Any ambiguity around control was further reduced in May when Brailsford led the team’s relaunch at a Netcompany-INEOS event in London.

Netcompany has since committed €100 million over five years to the cycling project, with additional investment expected to help replace INEOS as co-title sponsor.

Despite the shifting hierarchy, Sir Jim Ratcliffe remains the ultimate owner of the team.

Allert’s exit is widely seen as the culmination of Brailsford’s return to influence, with sources suggesting he was effectively operating in the shadow of the former British Cycling performance chief for some time.

The leadership reshuffle also comes shortly after Sir Dave Brailsford’s formal departure as a Manchester United director was confirmed via Companies House on May 7, with his tenure ending on April 30.

At Old Trafford, Brailsford had been a key sporting figure following INEOS’ partial takeover, working closely on performance strategy alongside broader club restructuring.

During his time across INEOS Sport, he also introduced long-term planning concepts such as “Mission 8” for INEOS Grenadiers, targeting an eighth Tour de France title.

Similar ideas were applied at Manchester United with “Mission 21” aimed at a 21st league title, and “Mission 1” for the women’s team targeting their first WSL crown.