Man Utd Backs Sebastian Coe for Top Sports Role, Citing £2bn Stadium Vision

Manchester United Back Sebastian Coe’s Bid for IOC Presidency
By Michael Pavitt

Sebastian Coe, the World Athletics president and two-time Olympic gold medalist, has received a surprise endorsement from Manchester United in his campaign to become the next International Olympic Committee (IOC) president. The election, set for March 20, 2025, in Pylos, Greece, will see Coe compete against six candidates, including frontrunners Juan Antonio Samaranch Jnr (Spain) and Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe).

[Image: Lord Coe at a Manchester United event]
Coe (center) with Manchester United executives discussing stadium plans.

Why Man United Supports Coe
United’s chief executive, Omar Berrada, penned a letter praising Coe’s leadership, citing his role in chairing the taskforce for the club’s proposed £2 billion, 100,000-seat stadium and regeneration of Trafford Park. Berrada highlighted Coe’s “impeccable credentials,” crediting his work on London 2012’s legacy and calling him an “unrivalled leader in global sport.” The stadium project, unveiled last week, aims to transform Old Trafford’s surrounding area, drawing parallels to Olympic-driven urban renewal.

[Image: Architectural rendering of Manchester United’s new stadium]
Proposed design for the state-of-the-art stadium.

Coe’s Competition
Coe faces stiff competition from Kirsty Coventry, a seven-time Olympic swimming medalist and Zimbabwe’s sports minister, who is reportedly favored by outgoing IOC president Thomas Bach. If elected, she would become the committee’s first female leader. Juan Antonio Samaranch Jnr, son of the former IOC president, is also a key contender, leveraging his long tenure as an IOC vice-president. Other candidates include Belgium’s Ingmar De Vos and China’s Li Lingwei.

[Image: Kirsty Coventry and Juan Antonio Samaranch Jnr]
Coventry (left) and Samaranch (right) are among Coe’s rivals.

Coe’s Reform Agenda
Positioning himself as a reformist, Coe has pledged greater transparency within the IOC and advocates for stricter guidelines on transgender athletes in women’s sports. His tenure at World Athletics has been marked by a hardline stance against Russia’s participation in events due to doping scandals. However, his independent streak has reportedly irked Bach, who views him as a “maverick” after controversies like unilaterally offering $50,000 prizes to Olympic track-and-field gold medalists in 2024.

[Image: Coe speaking at a World Athletics event]
Coe has prioritized integrity and reform in his campaigns.

The Stakes
With 109 IOC members voting, the election remains unpredictable. While Coe’s global recognition and Man United’s endorsement bolster his profile, the IOC’s traditional preference for continuity could favor establishment candidates like Samaranch or Coventry. Coe’s critics argue his assertiveness may clash with the IOC’s consensus-driven culture, but supporters believe his vision aligns with modernizing the Olympics amid declining public interest and financial pressures.

Legacy and Vision
A victory for Coe would cement his unparalleled influence across sports governance, following his leadership roles in the 2012 London Olympics and World Athletics. For Manchester United, backing Coe reinforces their ambition to leverage sports diplomacy as they pursue transformative projects. As the vote looms, Coe’s blend of athletic prestige and reformist zeal could redefine the Olympic movement—or underscore the challenges of navigating its entrenched politics.

[Image: Coe celebrating an Olympic victory in 1984]
Coe’s athletic legacy adds to his credibility in sports leadership.

Published: 22:00 GMT, 19 March 2025 | Updated: 23:46 GMT, 19 March 2025

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Man United issue last-minute backing for Sebastian Coe in his bid for the most powerful job in sport.