As per official Twitter

Interesting CV.

Seen a few Fulham fans already saying “good luck”

Great first impressions

From the BFC website....

Mike Rigg, who has held a variety of high-profile roles within domestic and international football, will head up the process of talent identification and recruitment throughout the whole club, from Academy to first team.

The 49-year-old, who has previously worked as head of player acquisition at Manchester City, will also oversee a new, large investment programme in growing the talent identification and analysis teams at the club.

The new chain of command will see Rigg report directly into Chairman Mike Garlick, as remains the case with first team manager Sean Dyche.

Mr Garlick said: “We are delighted to welcome Mike on board.

“All of the candidates which Sean and myself interviewed were of a very high calibre.

“However, Mike stood out as someone who we feel can help move the club forward in terms of identifying and hiring the best possible footballing talent, both on a national and international basis.

“It’s an area of the club that we need to invest in and improve further, and we feel sure that Mike’s wealth of experience will be a valuable asset to us.”



Educated at the Manchester Metropolitan University, Rigg initially worked in the football community schemes at Wrexham and Chester in the late 1980s and early 1990s, before working as Technical Director for the FA of Wales for six years, between 1995-2001.

He was appointed Head of Academy at Sheffield Wednesday in 2001, later becoming Blackburn Rovers Chief Scout in 2006 and joining Manchester City two years later as their Head of Player Acquisition.

Following a hugely influential four-year stint at the Etihad - overseeing much of City’s transformation to one of the biggest clubs in world football, where he helped sign the likes of Yaya Toure, David Silva and Sergio Aguero - Rigg was appointed Technical Director at QPR in 2012.

A role as Head of Talent Identification at the Football Association followed in 2013, where he was tasked with all age groups in both the men's and women's game, working alongside future England manager Gareth Southgate and former FA Technical Director Dan Ashworth.

He then became Chief Footballing Officer at Fulham, and latterly, after leaving his role at Craven Cottage, has worked as a Global Football Advisor for an executive sports recruitment company, working with football clients in North America, Europe, the UK and Asia.



Rigg, who commences his new role at Burnley Football Club on December 1, said: “I am delighted and absolutely honoured to be asked to come and join the club.

“I have worked for over 30 years in football, starting out as a community officer, which was a terrific grounding, and have been lucky to work with national associations and club sides.

“I feel I have an excellent understanding of all areas and how things have to fit together to be successful.

“What Burnley has achieved over the past few years is absolutely phenomenal and I hope I can do everything possible to support Sean and try and strengthen the club’s position moving forwards.”

Clarets boss Dyche added: “I have mentioned over the past couple of years how important it is to grow all areas of the club, and recruitment structuring and how we want to go forward, is an important part of that.

“I think at the end of a good process for the club, involving myself and the chairman, amongst others, we have found someone who can help the club to grow.

“By bringing in Mike, I think it’s a great opportunity for him to stamp his side on the way that we work.

“Within the role it’s not just recruitment, but that’s a big part of it, and with Mike’s background, both here and abroad, in searching for the right players for Burnley Football Club, I think that experience will be needed and used wisely, and that’s what we’ll look to Mike to add to what we already do.”

It looked over the weekend that he’d become favourite. Worked at a lot of clubs and with the FA & FAW. Hugely experienced and he’s been given a wide reaching role.

Will he be any good? I don’t know but it’s a position that’s needed filling for some time.

Just had a look at some of the players Fulham signed during his tenure.

My eyes are burning.

SGr wrote:Just had a look at some of the players Fulham signed during his tenure.

My eyes are burning.

Lot of problems at Fulham though with a relative of the owner picking the players. Both Rigg and the manager had concerns with the way it was being run.

He’s got a hugely impressive CV including Man City so it seems a bit churlish to post just about Fulham.

ClaretTony wrote:Lot of problems at Fulham though with a relative of the owner picking the players. Both Rigg and the manager had concerns with the way it was being run.

He’s got a hugely impressive CV including Man City so it seems a bit churlish to post just about Fulham.

Agree re the owner’s getting involved. Fulham’s fans certainly don’t rate him though in spite of knowing this.

I suppose time will tell...

SGr wrote:Just had a look at some of the players Fulham signed during his tenure.

My eyes are burning.

What about City and Blackburn while he was there for balance?

Quickenthetempo wrote:What about City and Blackburn while he was there for balance?

Don’t think he wants balance. Quickly jumped in with Fulham without any consideration for his other work

Toure ... David Silva... Aguero ...
OK we haven't the Gazillions of City but.... it ain't a bad CV is it

Good to see we have looked outside the box. Warburton would have been on paper a sensible choice. But Riggs CV looks good.

Also great to see that Dyche and Garlick were both involved in the process. While you dont want Dyche to be in complete control of everything, and you want someone who might be here or at least his impact felt long after Dyche is its important that Dyche knows what he is all about and vice versa.

Hopefully this improves our ability overseas. Domestically we are sound.

Given the earlier threads there would have been a lot of negativity had it been Warburton because of his relationship with Dyche.

ClaretTony wrote:Don’t think he wants balance. Quickly jumped in with Fulham without any consideration for his other work

Most recent example, similar level of club, only one whose fans have actually commented


Since you asked though:

City transfers appear to be a mixed bag in terms of value for money, but some exceptional additions to note: Aguero*, Toure, Kompany, Silva

*unsure whether he was before or after he left

Less than 5 minutes for a whopper to introduce some negativity.

Don’t get it, if it proves to be a bad appointment think how happy you can be crying all over again

SGr wrote:Most recent example, similar level of club, only one whose fans have actually commented


Since you asked though:

City transfers appear to be a mixed bag in terms of value for money, but some exceptional additions to note: Aguero*, Toure, Kompany, Silva

*unsure whether he was before or after he left

According to the interview and article Aguero is one of Riggs additions to City....
Rigg was at City from 2008 to 12 ...
Aguero signed in 2011

SGr wrote:Most recent example, similar level of club, only one whose fans have actually commented


Since you asked though:

City transfers appear to be a mixed bag in terms of value for money, but some exceptional additions to note: Aguero*, Toure, Kompany, Silva

*unsure whether he was before or after he left

We both play in the Premier League. Other than that there are no comparisons between the clubs. But to be honest I’ve no interest in what Fulham fans think.

Bosscat wrote:According to the interview and article Aguero is one of Riggs additions to City....

A good way to end it

SGr wrote:Just had a look at some of the players Fulham signed during his tenure.

My eyes are burning.

Can you put a list up of the players please?

Presumably quite a long term project but it’ll be interesting to see how long it takes for tangible benefits to be seen.

Hopefully it sees us with a wider pool of talent to select from, retaining some of the character traits that Dyche places importance on whilst perhaps also being a little more flexibility in what we are looking for.

ClaretTony wrote: But to be honest I’ve no interest in what Fulham fans think.

Well, I do, so that’s why I commented on my own account.

SGr wrote:Well, I do, so that’s why I commented on my own account.

Why? Why is Fulham important but his other clubs not?

ClaretTony wrote:Why? Why is Fulham important but his other clubs not?

I’d say Fulham are more relevant than Manchester City but each to their own.

SGr wrote:I’d say Fulham are more relevant than Manchester City but each to their own.

And given your comments it seems you think is more relevant than any other club he’s worked at.

ClaretTony wrote:And given your comments it seems you think is more relevant than any other club he’s worked at.

Comments based on the most recent club he has worked at, and what their fans think of his time at the club.

I'd have gone for graham Carr.. Decent record on a budget..

Nobody can tell how it will work out for us but for me having international experience and contacts was essential for us to improve. The way the British and Irish national sides are playing (apart from England but the talented younger players are out of our price range) we have gone as far as we can go with this route.

I like the sound of this guy. Let us hope that the board back him with some hard cash, if not the appointment is worthless

I would of gone with the cheapest option..

claretdj wrote:I would of gone with the cheapest option..

Is that what this guy is?

Most of his cv is very impressive. The key for me is not really caring what he's done in other roles.

Hopefully he'll do a great job. If he doesn't then that's the time to stick the knife in, not before the guy has even walked through the door.

Quickenthetempo wrote:Nobody can tell how it will work out for us but for me having international experience and contacts was essential for us to improve. The way the British and Irish national sides are playing (apart from England but the talented younger players are out of our price range) we have gone as far as we can go with this route.

I’d hope that some of the talented youngsters are not out of our range (though cheaper to by them for a foreign club, I agree). Those getting limited at best game time might see us as a route to first team football, as some already are, abroad. I’d love to see us give some of these players a go.

Welcome to the Club, Mike.

Welcome Mike.

SGr wrote:Comments based on the most recent club he has worked at, and what their fans think of his time at the club.

What their fans think - is this based on what you have read on an Internet fans / forum? Or are you one of them posters who knows loads of fans who support other clubs?

Depending on your Google search you can find a change.org petition to get Rigg out of Fulham. A massive 335 signed the petition.

What did we do before Google and social media?

That is all. I'm off to buy some viagra online.

Nesnajttam wrote:I'd have gone for graham Carr.. Decent record on a budget..

Graham Kerr the Galloping Gourmet... hmmmmm showing my age here ... time for a short slurrrp!!!

Oh you said Graham Carr soz

Oh and all this subliminal Viagra advertising is giving me a stiff neck!!!!!!!

Actually.. This is Burnley we're talking about.. Maybe grahams son would be a better choice..

It’s another name for fans to throw into every gripe. SGr response proof of this.

You can guarantee that we need a barn storming January for some fans to take to him. If not it will be “what’s Rigg doing” etc etc.

Personally happy with the choice. Seems to be far from the safe option and a bit different tomorrow normal MO. Welcome Mike!

claretdj wrote:Can you put a list up of the players please?

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fulham- ... lpos=&w_s=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fulham- ... lpos=&w_s=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Experienced at all levels, from lower league's right to the top with the FA.

Hard to find an issue with it and appears that he's never worked with Dyche so those who had a potential issue with Dyche's mate getting the job should be fine.

I see Kevin McDonald on the list, so he can obviously spot a player..

Good luck Mr Rigg,hope you shut the doubters(already!)up on here,Fulham? Who really gives a F**k about them ?

claretdj wrote:I see Kevin McDonald on the list, so he can obviously spot a player..

Cairney is on there too and plenty of people on here wanted us to sign him after he started shining for Fulham.

claretdj wrote:I see Kevin McDonald on the list, so he can obviously spot a player..

Was Kevin McDonald not a good player?
Poor attitude at Burnley, but he's probably grown out of that by now.

Graham Carr is God in Nuneaton.up the boro !

What's wrong with what he's done at Fulham? They've got some class players, Jokanovic just didn't fancy setting up defensively at all this season (not that it affected them against us).

boatshed bill wrote:Was Kevin McDonald not a good player?
Poor attitude at Burnley, but he's probably grown out of that by now.

Id have him back

brilliant news, let's hope he is able to get Dyche away from mainly looking in the Championship !

theroyaldyche wrote:Id have him back

You are joking

Did the Fulham fans mention that he will of been involved in pinching one of our top targets from right under our noses in the summer?

He’ll do for me!