Manchester United’s director of communications leaves post after 14 years to join Uefa

MANCHESTER UNITED'S director of communications has left to join Uefa.

Phil Townsend, 48, leaves his post as director of communications at Old Trafford after dedicating 14 years to the club.

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But now he is set to join European football's governing body as the managing director of communications and admitted it was difficult to leave United after so many years.

Townsend said: “I have always had the highest regard for UEFA and its work in the development of the game across Europe.

"It is a great honour to have been asked to take on this role.

"It was a difficult decision to leave United after so many years working alongside so many good people in a club with such huge global significance in the game but this is a wonderful opportunity at a very important time for European football."

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Townsend — who will start his new job in the summer — takes over from Portuguese Pedro Pinto who has left the job to return home.

It is not the first time Uefa have taken someone from Manchester United in recent years.

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Former chief executive David Gill currently holds a position on the Uefa Executive commitee after leaving Old Trafford in 2013.

He was replaced by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward who has held the job ever since.