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Who would you want as the new Director of Football?

thfcsteff

thfcsteff

Sonny Walters
I think one thing which has become clear is that Johan Lange is probably not going to last.
It is arguable that maybe even more important than the next permanent manager is who the club choose as a new DoF/Sporting Director IF they take the path of replacing Lange.
We are back at the enternal crossroads of whether to appoint a manager/coach who has a DoF that works for him OR a whether to appoint a manager/coach who fits the overall philosophy of the club as dictated by the sporting director.

This is not my greatest area of knowledge, so I thought I'd throw it open to the floor. I know the likes of Campos at PSG are much lauded, but there is something about Simon Rolfes at Leverkusen which has me thinking he might well be an excellent person to go for. Young, played the game at the highest level level and regularly, full international for Germany, helped orchestrate Leverkusen's Bundesliga title with Alonso, could also perhaps be a piece of a puzzle which saw Alonso considering the job...

Any thoughts or suggestions?
 
Paul Mitchell and Dan Ashworth are the first two that spring to mind.

Mitchell did very well with us (Son, Alderweireld, Wanyama) but seemed to butt heads with Levy. He's obviously someone that Poch trusts to.

Ashworth was very impressive at Brighton. Obviously he got caught in power struggles at Man U and Saudi Sportswashing Machine (Mitchell the latter too). But we have a power vacuum not a struggle, which might suit a strong character.

Or try and tempt away the guy from Sunderland
 
Gutter Boy said:
Paul Mitchell and Dan Ashworth are the first two that spring to mind.

Mitchell did very well with us (Son, Alderweireld, Wanyama) but seemed to butt heads with Levy. He's obviously someone that Poch trusts to.

Ashworth was very impressive at Brighton. Obviously he got caught in power struggles at Man U and Saudi Sportswashing Machine (Mitchell the latter too). But we have a power vacuum not a struggle, which might suit a strong character.

Or try and tempt away the guy from Sunderland
Click to expand...
Allegedly Mitchell lined his own pockets or am I completely wrong.
 
1) We could try the power move of disabling one of our PL competitors, which automatically helps us up the PL e.g. if we can get the DoF and/or the manager from another Top 6 club. That is the sort of thing that MNU/CHE do to other teams, like us.

2) None of us know the DoF's very well, I guess you have to check out the DoFs behind the successful clubs which climbed up the rankings recently. The guy that was a big name for years and years was Monchi; Villa got him, but then moved him upstairs / replaced him in the last couple of years. I have no clue if an Emery/Monchi double act would be good, but it would be funny to tinkle off Villa

3) I would assume each manager stays about 2 years and each DoF stays about 4 years i.e. we should get the DoF and ensure the Manager can work with them. E.g. if we are dead set on getting Poch he probably has a very firm view of which DoFs he would be happy with, as he had a huge chip on his shoulder about it last time he was here.

4) Every job at the Top6 clubs is enormous and widespread and being split into 2 or 3 roles, hence you get a DoF or 2 DoFs and a Sporting Director and a Director of Football Operations so we shouldn't get too hung up on "WHO IS THE DoF" and rather ensure each base is covered i.e. Lange is really good at getting teenagers, so he can keep doing that, whilst we sign this overarching Director of Netball
 
I feel like this Director of Football role or Sporting Director is so overplayed.

If you look at the clubs above us that have done well in the Premiership, or performed above their level, it’s always been primarily influenced by the Manager or the Ownership. Michael Edwards at Liverpool is the only example in English football where the DoF has had the same level of influence over a one success as the manager.

Manchester United’s success in the 90’s & 2000’s was primarily down to Ferguson with support from Martin Edwards. Woolwich was down to Wenger with support from David Dein. Chelsea was down to Abramovic pumping a load of money in.

City was the same they threw money at the wall and sometimes it stuck until Pep came along and anyone in a DoF role there is just doing what Pep wants.

Even now legohead Arteta is the most influential figure at Arsenal. They have had Edu and the bloke from Barcelona they love now but it’s still Arteta who is in charge.

Villa have had recent success but it’s primarily driven by Emery. Brighton, Brentford, Bournemouth etc it’s all based on their owners directive and the manager & DoF are just following their lead and operating within the model and culture they want.
 
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