Any weakness on the football side could be rectified, the owners calculate, while any loss of commercial power would threaten the club’s aggressive corporate mission. Thus, in Glazer-speak, Woodward remains the most valuable employee. A statement often heard is that they “like the way he runs the club”. In that context, Gill, a very different breed of chief executive during the Ferguson era, is no longer a major power broker, despite remaining on the football board; and Ferguson and Charlton are essentially ambassadorial figures who might be asked for their thoughts but not invited to take part in decisions.