Director of football ?
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Director of football ?
Given Parker's head coach title surely we are getting one ?
Who is making the signings ?
Who is making the signings ?
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Re: Director of football ?
I've always wondered what a Director of Football actually does.
Does he or she manage scouting , transfers that king of thing or is it more engagement with stats, performances, nutrition, fitness?
Does a director of football have any say in how the team plays it's tactics, formations, etc?
Does he or she manage scouting , transfers that king of thing or is it more engagement with stats, performances, nutrition, fitness?
Does a director of football have any say in how the team plays it's tactics, formations, etc?
Re: Director of football ?
I think it is someone who can't be bothered to take the responsibility of actually managing their purchased players.
Also - who sets the team style and puts in the ingredients to deliver it?
Also - who sets the team style and puts in the ingredients to deliver it?
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Re: Director of football ?
They basically manage the whole football operation and the manager or head coach should report to them. Some are now much sought after and Man U have just completed their signing of Dan Ashworth from Newcastle, he's considered to be one of the best.mikeS wrote: ↑Sat Jul 20, 2024 8:02 amI've always wondered what a Director of Football actually does.
Does he or she manage scouting , transfers that king of thing or is it more engagement with stats, performances, nutrition, fitness?
Does a director of football have any say in how the team plays it's tactics, formations, etc?
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Re: Director of football ?
Here you go:mikeS wrote: ↑Sat Jul 20, 2024 8:02 amI've always wondered what a Director of Football actually does.
Does he or she manage scouting , transfers that king of thing or is it more engagement with stats, performances, nutrition, fitness?
Does a director of football have any say in how the team plays it's tactics, formations, etc?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMVdrGbZkGo
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Re: Director of football ?
I'm assuming that will be down to the transfer committee that we've had in place for a while, along with input from Parker.Vegas Claret wrote: ↑Fri Jul 19, 2024 11:46 pmGiven Parker's head coach title surely we are getting one ?
Who is making the signings ?
Re: Director of football ?
Pace and WilliamsVegas Claret wrote: ↑Fri Jul 19, 2024 11:46 pmGiven Parker's head coach title surely we are getting one ?
Who is making the signings ?
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Re: Director of football ?
I would imagine the role of ‘director of football’ would be to head the footballing side of the business, lead the scouting department, control player transactions, possibly consult on player contracts. The position will report to the board of directors. As this is a relatively new position in English football, the role and responsibilities will probably change over time.
Re: Director of football ?
'head the footballing side of the business'? What does this entail then?exilecanada wrote: ↑Sat Jul 20, 2024 4:55 pmI would imagine the role of ‘director of football’ would be to head the footballing side of the business, lead the scouting department, control player transactions, possibly consult on player contracts. The position will report to the board of directors. As this is a relatively new position in English football, the role and responsibilities will probably change over time.
My God, managers have such an enormous background team these days that all those duties should be covered between them all?
In my opinion a 'Director of Football' is a sneaky little turd who has his nose up the MD's arse.
Can you imagine Brian Clough putting up with a 'Director of Football' ?
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Re: Director of football ?
It is evolving but it’s becoming a vital position at the bigger clubs.exilecanada wrote: ↑Sat Jul 20, 2024 4:55 pmI would imagine the role of ‘director of football’ would be to head the footballing side of the business, lead the scouting department, control player transactions, possibly consult on player contracts. The position will report to the board of directors. As this is a relatively new position in English football, the role and responsibilities will probably change over time.
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Re: Director of football ?
Brian Clough was never in charge of a multi million pound business though was he?equinox wrote: ↑Sat Jul 20, 2024 5:28 pm'head the footballing side of the business'? What does this entail then?
My God, managers have such an enormous background team these days that all those duties should be covered between them all?
In my opinion a 'Director of Football' is a sneaky little turd who has his nose up the MD's arse.
Can you imagine Brian Clough putting up with a 'Director of Football' ?
Re: Director of football ?
Well he made the first Million pound signing and to suggest he wasn't with the times is rather naive.roperclaret wrote: ↑Sat Jul 20, 2024 5:38 pmBrian Clough was never in charge of a multi million pound business though was he?
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Re: Director of football ?
Brian Clough hasn’t been involved in football now for 31 years. It’s a whole different world now. Imagine if he’d have to deal in today’s game preventing him from taking the bungs.roperclaret wrote: ↑Sat Jul 20, 2024 5:38 pmBrian Clough was never in charge of a multi million pound business though was he?
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Re: Director of football ?
That’s the point I’m making TonyClaretTony wrote: ↑Sat Jul 20, 2024 5:40 pmBrian Clough hasn’t been involved in football now for 31 years. It’s a whole different world now. Imagine if he’d have to deal in today’s game preventing him from taking the bungs.
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Re: Director of football ?
Why don't you just go ahead and tell us what a 'Director of Football' does then?ClaretTony wrote: ↑Sat Jul 20, 2024 5:40 pmBrian Clough hasn’t been involved in football now for 31 years. It’s a whole different world now. Imagine if he’d have to deal in today’s game preventing him from taking the bungs.
(Holds breath)
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Re: Director of football ?
There's nothing to read.ClaretTony wrote: ↑Sat Jul 20, 2024 5:45 pmAnd why don’t you read the thread rather than continuing to make snide comments?
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Re: Director of football ?
You didn't delete that one did you, you little tinker...
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Re: Director of football ?
I’m feeling that you don’t seem to understand that football clubs are now businesses and need operational positions that try to bring a synergy to the way the are run. A Director of football will ultimately have responsibility for making all the different elements of football operations work together hopefully successfully.
Re: Director of football ?
Incredibly vague, whilst being Incredibly patronising.roperclaret wrote: ↑Sat Jul 20, 2024 6:03 pmI’m feeling that you don’t seem to understand that football clubs are now businesses and need operational positions that try to bring a synergy to the way the are run. A Director of football will ultimately have responsibility for making all the different elements of football operations work together hopefully successfully.
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Re: Director of football ?
I realize you’re only ‘stirring the pot’ but I suggest you find out what a ‘General Managers’ responsibilities are at a NHL, NFL or MLB club are. That is what a “Direct of Football’ position will eventually evolve into. Although I suspect you already know

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Re: Director of football ?
Maybe, but often that is the only way to deal with people that are being purposely obtuse
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Re: Director of football ?
A director of football makes sense to me, particularly when managers (or should that be coaches) stay around for such a short period of time.
In most cases, I’d suggest that the board are not football people but business people and therefore the director of football is an important link between the board and football operations side.
Losing a coach is perhaps less of an upheaval than losing a manager and assuming that there is a good director of football in place, he / she can make those periods of transition that bit smoother.
For me the director of football should have a vision for the club, style of play, recruitment, type of players etc. and it’s hit role to have the right people in place to deliver on those - including having a damn good idea of who the ideal next coaches would be when the inevitable happens.
In most cases, I’d suggest that the board are not football people but business people and therefore the director of football is an important link between the board and football operations side.
Losing a coach is perhaps less of an upheaval than losing a manager and assuming that there is a good director of football in place, he / she can make those periods of transition that bit smoother.
For me the director of football should have a vision for the club, style of play, recruitment, type of players etc. and it’s hit role to have the right people in place to deliver on those - including having a damn good idea of who the ideal next coaches would be when the inevitable happens.
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Re: Director of football ?
Oh dear.DCWat wrote: ↑Sat Jul 20, 2024 6:14 pmA director of football makes sense to me, particularly when managers (or should that be coaches) stay around for such a short period of time.
In most cases, I’d suggest that the board are not football people but business people and therefore the director of football is an important link between the board and football operations side.
Losing a coach is perhaps less of an upheaval than losing a manager and assuming that there is a good director of football in place, he / she can make those periods of transition that bit smoother.
For me the director of football should have a vision for the club, style of play, recruitment, type of players etc. and it’s hit role to have the right people in place to deliver on those - including having a damn good idea of who the ideal next coaches would be when the inevitable happens.
Newcastle United chap to Manchester United.
It's nonsense. They are all feeding in the same cess pit that is currently known as Professional Football.
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Re: Director of football ?
And will be only too ready to jump ship when a better opportunity arises, just like all the other staff at a professional football club.
Re: Director of football ?
Exactly, the levels of the '**** Cake' get taller.boatshed bill wrote: ↑Sat Jul 20, 2024 6:40 pmAnd will be only too ready to jump ship when a better opportunity arises, just like all the other staff at a professional football club.
At the end of the day we just want to watch a bit of 'footy' at the Turf.
Fnck these 'Directors of Football'.
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Re: Director of football ?
All you need to know about Dan Ashworth - Sporting Director.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Ashworth
Looks like United were after this chap since 2018.
"On 17 September 2012, Ashworth was appointed as the FA director of elite development. He is one of the creators of the "England DNA", an elite player development plan which aims "to help create winning senior teams, in the men's and the women's game."
The man with THE plan.
So I did a search and found it. (Just Google England DNA
It's a 38 - slide Powerpoint show.
From Slide 13 on Possession onwards you need a PhD to understand it all.
The FA must have fed this crepe to the England team before the Euros.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Ashworth
Looks like United were after this chap since 2018.
"On 17 September 2012, Ashworth was appointed as the FA director of elite development. He is one of the creators of the "England DNA", an elite player development plan which aims "to help create winning senior teams, in the men's and the women's game."
The man with THE plan.
So I did a search and found it. (Just Google England DNA
It's a 38 - slide Powerpoint show.
From Slide 13 on Possession onwards you need a PhD to understand it all.
The FA must have fed this crepe to the England team before the Euros.
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Re: Director of football ?
It was Roy Hodgson who took him to the FA from West Brom. He then moved to Brighton and has since been head hunted by Newcastle and then Manchester United.mikeS wrote: ↑Sat Jul 20, 2024 8:27 pmAll you need to know about Dan Ashworth - Sporting Director.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Ashworth
Looks like United were after this chap since 2018.
"On 17 September 2012, Ashworth was appointed as the FA director of elite development. He is one of the creators of the "England DNA", an elite player development plan which aims "to help create winning senior teams, in the men's and the women's game."
The man with THE plan.
So I did a search and found it. (Just Google England DNA
It's a 38 - slide Powerpoint show.
From Slide 13 on Possession onwards you need a PhD to understand it all.
The FA must have fed this crepe to the England team before the Euros.
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Re: Director of football ?
I think its Ben Gibson and Michael Keane on one of the 1st photos. Gary Cahill also in there
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Re: Director of football ?
Helps set, and ensures the club implements, a long term strategy whilst the head coach/manager focuses on, and has a natural incentive to prioritise, short term objectives. Works with the head coach to strike a balance between short term and long term and to ensure the head coach does not wield too much power unchallenged. Plans for who the next head coach might be.
Simple as that and as important as that. And it is almost universally accepted as crucial, which is why virtually every club in the top 30 has some version if the role now. We are much the outlier and I'd suggest the events of the last 12 months, in which Kompany wielded far too much power unchecked, made bad signings as a result and left the club seemingly unprepared for his departure, emphasise why that is a mistake. You need a counterweight.
Re: Director of football ?
'Simple as that'claretspice wrote: ↑Sat Jul 20, 2024 10:22 pmHelps set, and ensures the club implements, a long term strategy whilst the head coach/manager focuses on, and has a natural incentive to prioritise, short term objectives. Works with the head coach to strike a balance between short term and long term and to ensure the head coach does not wield too much power unchallenged. Plans for who the next head coach might be.
Simple as that
Are you being sarcastic?
Re: Director of football ?
Dan Ashworth (the best in class) doesn't seem to concerned with 'long term strategies'.claretspice wrote: ↑Sat Jul 20, 2024 10:22 pmHelps set, and ensures the club implements, a long term strategy
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Re: Director of football ?
There was a time when I didn’t see the need for such a role but the Kompany situation, and Dyche to an extent, shows how much we need someone in that role.claretspice wrote: ↑Sat Jul 20, 2024 10:22 pmHelps set, and ensures the club implements, a long term strategy whilst the head coach/manager focuses on, and has a natural incentive to prioritise, short term objectives. Works with the head coach to strike a balance between short term and long term and to ensure the head coach does not wield too much power unchallenged. Plans for who the next head coach might be.
Simple as that and as important as that. And it is almost universally accepted as crucial, which is why virtually every club in the top 30 has some version if the role now. We are much the outlier and I'd suggest the events of the last 12 months, in which Kompany wielded far too much power unchecked, made bad signings as a result and left the club seemingly unprepared for his departure, emphasise why that is a mistake. You need a counterweight.
With someone who has now been appointed as our head coach, although the club’s website continues to list him as manager, begs the question as to who is filling that role. Parker I believe reports to the chairman when he should be reporting to a head of football type role.
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Re: Director of football ?
Id tend to agree, although whether the Head Coach reports to DoF/technical director rather than body roles reporting to the chairman/owner is less important than establishing the separation of functions. It's essential in a world where managers are long serving if they last 2 years.ClaretTony wrote: ↑Sun Jul 21, 2024 11:53 amThere was a time when I didn’t see the need for such a role but the Kompany situation, and Dyche to an extent, shows how much we need someone in that role.
With someone who has now been appointed as our head coach, although the club’s website continues to list him as manager, begs the question as to who is filling that role. Parker I believe reports to the chairman when he should be reporting to a head of football type role.
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Re: Director of football ?
Have you any reason to suggest that the same "longevity" won't apply to DOFs?claretspice wrote: ↑Sun Jul 21, 2024 12:20 pmId tend to agree, although whether the Head Coach reports to DoF/technical director rather than body roles reporting to the chairman/owner is less important than establishing the separation of functions. It's essential in a world where managers are long serving if they last 2 years.
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Re: Director of football ?
The bulk of managers/head coaches tend to leave their roles when it’s not of their own choosing. Obviously DOFs move on but not at the same sort of rate and their role is very much long term.boatshed bill wrote: ↑Sun Jul 21, 2024 12:34 pmHave you any reason to suggest that the same "longevity" won't apply to DOFs?
Re: Director of football ?
Let's pretend then that this Director of Football role works, the 'Head Coach' and 'Director of Football' get on like a house on fire and TOGETHER bring unimaginable success to the respective club. Do they not then become a partnership who want to carry on working together wherever they go?
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Re: Director of football ?
Do you think we will be employing one soon?ClaretTony wrote: ↑Sun Jul 21, 2024 12:55 pmThe bulk of managers/head coaches tend to leave their roles when it’s not of their own choosing. Obviously DOFs move on but not at the same sort of rate and their role is very much long term.
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Re: Director of football ?
No idea, but two of the early people Pace got rid of were the CEO & DoF. Neither have been replaced.