MANCHESTER UNITED have made former Chelsea chief Christopher Vivell their permanent director of recruitment on a REDUCED salary. The 38-year-old German initially joined on a short-term contract last summer. And he played a big role in helping United land several promising youngsters including Sekou Kone.
![[Christopher Vivell, Chelsea's new technical director, speaking to a reporter.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2022-christopher-vivel-chelsea-appointed-784294091.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Vivell’s old deal was set to expire at the end of the season. But after United sacked sporting director Dan Ashworth in November, Vivell’s role as director of recruitment has been made permanent. However, Vivell’s new agreement has seen him take a pay cut a day after United announced they are set to make a further 200 redundancies.
![[Chelsea FC's Paul Winstanley, Benoit Badiashile, and Christopher Vivell at a signing.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/director-global-talent-transfers-paul-807599673.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Vivell will oversee club recruitment around the world, while also taking charge of United’s scouting system and young talent operation. He will be hoping to last longer in the role than his previous job at Chelsea. Vivell was appointed technical director in December 2022 as a replacement for Marina Granovskaia.
![[Joao Felix's Chelsea FC signing announcement.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/technical-director-christopher-vivell-director-787846420.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS. But he lasted just seven months after Todd Boehly decided to hand all power to co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley. Vivell’s sole transfer window at Chelsea came in January 2023 and saw plenty of activity.
A then-record fee of £105million was spent on Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez, who had just won the World Cup with Argentina. Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Benoit Badiashile, Malo Gusto, Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana were also signed permanently, while Joao Felix arrived on loan.
There were few exits though, with Jorginho the only senior star to depart. It left then-Chelsea boss Graham Potter with a hugely-bloated squad featuring unwanted misfits including Hakim Ziyech, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Christian Pulisic. The Blues finished the season with Frank Lampard in charge as interim boss.
