Boardroom chops it up with Ferdinand to talk about how the former Man United star is expanding his media presence, what’s next for the Red Devils, and more.
The Sir Alex Ferguson years at Manchester United were some of the most glorious in English football. Even if you didn’t bleed red, it was remarkable to witness the sort of magic they’d pull off at The Theatre of Dreams. Old Trafford wasn’t just where opponents went to get humbled, but a Fergie Time winner defined Mancunian culture. A reminder that when playing United, the game isn’t over until the final whistle, and belief is everything.
Things have undoubtedly changed since his 2012 retirement — the same year Man United last lifted the Premier League trophy. A revolving door of managers and a string of underwhelming signings have taken a toll on both performance and supporter morale. Yet, one thing remains unchanged: This is still one of the most successful — and profitable — clubs in European football. And each new season brings renewed belief among fans that this could be the one where everything turns around.
Widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the world during his peak, Rio Ferdinand was a key figure in United’s defense during their threatening days under Sir Alex. During his time at the club, Ferdinand won six Premier League titles, cementing his legacy as a world-class centre-back. In addition to his domestic success, he also lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2008 and was regularly featured in the PFA Team of the Year. His impact extended to the international stage, where he earned over 80 caps for England and was a part of three FIFA Men’s World Cup squads.
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Since retiring from professional football, Ferdinand has remained a prominent figure in the sport. He has established himself as a respected football analyst and pundit, offering insightful commentary for TNT Sports. Ferdinand’s entrepreneurial journey speaks to the importance of adaptability in a fast-moving digital world.
At just 28, while still playing at the highest level, he launched his own media company — an online magazine that was ahead of its time, blending sports, lifestyle, music, entertainment, and fashion. Recognizing the power of technology and the speed at which consumers crave content, Ferdinand transitioned the brand into a YouTube channel and podcast, Rio Ferdinand Presents. It’s a testament to his ability to spot opportunity, evolve with the times, and, above all, enjoy the process.
The now 46-year-old is once again launching a new venture, starting a new media company all under his own IP and showing fans a peek into his world. A lot of us grew up watching him, but this feels like an entirely new way of getting to know one of our favorite footballers.
“When I’m traveling and interviewing the biggest players and managers and the inner workings of the game, it’s about bringing the fans on that journey to be able to see that, touch it, feel it, and smell it,” Ferdinand tells Boardroom. “I think this is an era where that’s possible now and wasn’t possible before. We didn’t have the technology or the people doing that, or even the access. And I think that’s where I bridge that gap. I was an ex-player, and people understand I’m not trying to get a headline or create a crazy story out of nothing. This is really just bringing the fan on that journey to see the inner workings of the game.”
Among the current and retired footballers who have appeared on his program include David Beckham, Thibaut Courtois, Michel Carrick, and United’s newest signee, Bryan Mbeumo.
For Ferdinand, this isn’t just an excuse to speak with his mates or impart wisdom on rising talent. We’ve witnessed an influx of players evading traditional media in favor of their own platforms or, in some cases, conversing alongside someone with shared experience. It’s about athletes having a platform to speak candidly with other players in a safe space.
“Like me picking up the phone to someone like Cristiano Ronaldo or David Beckham, if you look on the archives of my interviews, you see a different side to those guys than what’s normally presented in the media because I played the game. They trust me, and a lot of the time, I know these guys anyway. I enjoy that part. I enjoy getting nervous before an interview. But again, it’s the business element as well. And running that company and making sure that it works in the most efficient, effective way too.”
The Comeback Is Brewing at Old Trafford
United just wrapped its 2025 Summer Series Tour, picking up two wins and a draw in matches played in New York, Chicago, and Atlanta. Ferdinand remarked that the energy of the United fanbase stateside is nothing if not optimistic after winning the Summer Series title. After a disappointing year without lifting hardware, perhaps this is the motivation needed to dethrone Liverpool as champions of England — at the very least, pick up a win against Arsenal at home in Week 1 of the Premier League next week.
“One of the things I noticed immediately was there’s a real togetherness about this squad, and I think that’s what a tour does,” Ferdinand explained. “I think the importance of a tour isn’t just great commercially. Yes, it is for gaining new fans, eyeballs, and generating money, obviously. But one of the most important factors is the ambiance and culture that you create while you’re away for three weeks together; it’s invaluable. But again, you have to start the season well and you need the results to marry that progress.”
The United standard is elite football, defined by intensity, precision, and a relentless drive to win. It’s a degree of performance where there’s no room for error, no tolerance for complacency, and every player is expected to rise to the occasion week in, week out. After all, you don’t hold the record for most domestic trophies (13) by playing amateur football.
With that in mind, Ferdinand did not mince words when asked whether the United way has changed since he last suited up for the club in 2014.
“It has definitely changed because the team aren’t winning. And there’s been so many turnovers of managers and players over the last 12 years since I left, and since Sir Alex Ferguson and all those great years have left. So when you have a consistent culture, when you have a consistent run of players, a consistent manager there, things are going to run easier and add to that winning. So things do seem easier, and it does run more like with your eyes closed. Now we’ve had different managers, different players. The only consistent thing is that we haven’t been good enough, so it’s going to be more difficult.
“When you play for Manchester United, you know that to win and to win the big moments or to win the big trophies, you have to take risks. You have to be comfortable taking risks, and you take risks without looking over your shoulder. Whereas this team, it’s only really Bruno [Fernandes] that’s willing to take those risks consistently. And you can’t have one man to do that. You’re not going to win like that. So the manager, I’m sure he’s trying to cope, convey that idea that you can play with risk but also align that to a hard work ethic.”
Speaking of Bruno, Ferdinand lauded the captain for his proficiency on the pitch, even going so far as to say he is the only player on the Red’s current squad who could have been successful while they were winning trophies with ease.
“He has the talent, he has the ability, but I think he could play in different generations. I think our squad would’ve helped him more than this squad. We would’ve elevated him again to be an even better player,” Ferdinand said.
A 2024-25 season that ended trophy-less served as a harsh reminder that history alone doesn’t win matches. But despite the disappointment, there’s a strong sense of optimism heading into the new campaign. A refreshed squad brings new energy, and a manager who isn’t afraid to enforce discipline signals a shift back to core principles. These are the early signs of a club poised to rediscover its identity — hungry, united, and ready to reclaim the values that once made it the most feared name in English football.
Inspired by the Lionesses: A Blueprint for Men’s Glory
For decades, England men’s football fans have clung to the hopeful anthem of “It’s coming home,” only to watch dreams unravel in heartbreaking fashion — often in penalties or missed potential. That familiar cycle of expectation and disappointment has become part of the ongoing conversation of whether that 59-year curse can be broken.
Meanwhile, the Lionesses have flipped the script entirely, claiming back-to-back UEFA Women’s Euro titles and proving that belief and preparation can turn promise into silverware. So, what’s the difference? What can the men’s side learn from their more successful counterparts? Ferdinand was blunt in his feedback.
“We need to have a conversation and talk to the women’s national team so they can tell us how to do it,” he said. “We need their captain and their manager to come and do a talk to our national team. That way could be a good help as well. But I think England’s national team, we’re going to be in the top three, probably favorites to win it. We have some fantastic players, but this manager, Thomas Tuchel, has to find a way of getting all those players into the team and getting the best out of them. That’s been the conundrum that we haven’t solved to win a tournament. There’s a lot of experience now of going deep in tournaments to finals, but not quite winning. But we’ve got to finals, so we know how to do that. The next part is can we create a team of winners? And that’s the hardest part.”
One of the most common criticisms aimed at the England men’s national team is that while they boast a wealth of talented players, those players don’t always seem to click on the pitch. Ferdinand offers a different perspective. He argues it’s less about chemistry and more about system — whether the players are being used in the right positions to maximize their strengths. Rather than trying to fit everyone into a generic formation, he suggests it might be time to build the system around one or two standout talents.
Should Tuchel construct a style of play that suits Cole Palmer, or perhaps someone like Bukayo Saka or the skipper, Harry Kane? These are the tactical questions that shape a tournament, and the exact task waiting for Tuchel ahead of 2026.
In delivering his analysis, Ferdinand teased that he is gearing up for a major presence on the ground with Rio Ferdinand Presents. He and his team will be there for the entire tournament when it comes to the United States, Canada, and Mexico next summer, bringing fans closer to the action with live coverage, on-location content, and dynamic analysis from across all three host nations. From matchday reactions to behind-the-scenes moments, it’s set to be an immersive experience that mirrors the empire he is building.
As the legend puts it — watch this space.
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