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Hollywood director Joe Russo, renowned for his work on Marvel films, has joined the board of directors at Championship club Sheffield United, marking another significant connection between the entertainment industry and English football.
Russo, who directed four Marvel Cinematic Universe films alongside his brother Anthony, takes up his position following the recent takeover of the Blades by America-based consortium SOH Sports. This appointment signals a growing trend of Hollywood figures becoming involved in English football management.
The club's co-chairmen Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy expressed their enthusiasm about the appointment, stating, "We are delighted to welcome Joe, Len and Terry to the board of directors of Sheffield United Football Club." They emphasized their ambition for the club, adding, "We want to see the Blades competing in the top-flight of English football consistently, not just on a one-off basis."
The co-chairmen also highlighted the strategic importance of building a strong leadership team, noting that "An important element of this is ensuring we have the highest quality team not just on the pitch but in the boardroom as well. Each of Joe, Len and Terry bring outstanding capabilities and decades of experience to the table as we plan for the long term, develop the brand and ensure we have the best infrastructure in place."
This isn't Russo's first foray into English football. In April 2023, he was seen at a Wrexham match alongside actors Paul Rudd and Ryan Reynolds, the latter being Wrexham's co-owner. That particular match saw Wrexham secure a historic 3-1 victory over Boreham Wood, marking their return to the English Football League after a 15-year absence.
Currently, Sheffield United sits in second place in the Championship table, trailing only Leeds United, and appears well-positioned for potential promotion to the Premier League. The team's next challenge comes in the form of an away fixture against Swansea City on Tuesday.
