Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s favourite architect’s eccentric stadium designs, from Man Utd ‘tent’ to San Siro ‘washing machine’

Norman Foster's firm, Foster + Partners, has unveiled plans to replace the iconic San Siro with a new 71,500-seater Generali Stadium, highlighting a portfolio of bold stadium designs favored by Manchester United chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe previously praised Mancunian architect Foster as the world's greatest architect when planning United's proposed 100,000-seater stadium, which originally featured a large canopy dubbed a tent before logistical issues forced revisions.

The firm's past projects include the 2007 redesign of Wembley Stadium with its 133-meter arch and Qatar's 88,966-capacity Lusail Stadium used for the 2022 World Cup final. Foster + Partners also modernized Manchester United's Carrington training complex following criticism from Cristiano Ronaldo, and previously proposed an unbuilt renovation for Barcelona's Camp Nou in 2007.