Anyone seen our sporting director???

[CJ]

i would dissagree that all major clubs have this structure. THe scum dont baldy is just a famous son who is on the board. He doesnt take any pressure off demento. Wenger has moulded arsenal in his image. The sporting director is used on the continent more than here. and the continental clubs tend to have a higher turnover of managers. IT is true that this country seems to go down this route.

Looking at it from a business point of view it does make sense. From a structural point of view you would have someone on the board to take control of sporting matters (almost an operations director for a football club) but no managers here would want it. so you would have to have them report to the manager and then it means that the aim of the post is lost.

[El Jefecito]

During this whole affair with Hicks slating Rick Parry and earlier episodes about his involvment in transfer deals (or the lack of same) has got me thinking...

Since Parry is under a lot of critique from the fans, half the owners, Rafa apperently and some media outlets, howcome he is in charge of both the generel running of the club and the sporting affairs?? Could it be that he simply has to many responsibilities and has to little experience as a footballer to hold the sporting role?

If you look at some of the best clubs in the world as of now, they have a sporting director which are in charge of signing new players, talents and give advice to the board on footballing matters. This is also to keep continuity when managers change... The CEO is in charge of overall finances and the daily runnings of the club, but not concerned with the transfers as such (just signing the checks)...

Sporting Directors at major clubs (to illustrate)

Real: Predrag Mijatovic
Barca Berguistan
Man utd: Bobby Charlton
Chelski: Frank Arnesen
Leverkusen: Rudi Voeller
Juventus: Alessio Secco
Milan: Braida
Bayern: Uli Hoeness

The list could perhaps go on. I know Rafa wants total control in this area, but sporting directors are mainly there to keep communication between the manager and the board and give advice. They usually negotiate fees for the manager as well as wages etc...

Howcome we don't have one. It takes the pressure of the CEO so he can keep track of businees and the manager can concentrate on his side, and leave the negotiations to one competent person...

It has just struck me as odd that a huge club like ours are without...

Liverpool and Parry's problem is not so much on the football side but on the business side.

David Gill @ Manure has a 4-6 executive management team focusing on various differents aspects of the business e.g. match day operations, sponsorships, new media, marketing, financing. The list is endless and in our case even more onerous as we have a stadium to build.

So if Manure think it takes 6+ people to do those roles effectively? Why the hell is Parry trying to do it on his own. It's insanity.

I'm suprised were are still where we are given that model.

[peekay]

So because someone else buys the players they will automatically fit into the new managers tactics?

If you don't change managers every 2 years it becomes a non-issue.

Also it becomes a non-issue if the manager is sacked only for the right reasons. For example if Rafa walks this summer, I dont think the new manager will need a additional 200 million to build up a squad in his image. Pepe, Mascher, Gerrard, Alonso, Torres, Carra would get into the first team of most managers. Also at the very least most managers would not mind Agger, Skrtel, Hyppia, Arbeloa as first teamers or as squad players.

And if players are too attached to their previous manager, then I dont think how having a sports director would help. For example Arnesen is supposed to be one of the best around. But after Mourinho's departure looks like Drogba and Frank Lampard want to leave.

[Johnny]

Also it becomes a non-issue if the manager is sacked only for the right reasons. For example if Rafa walks this summer, I dont think the new manager will need a additional 200 million to build up a squad in his image. Pepe, Mascher, Gerrard, Alonso, Torres, Carra would get into the first team of most managers. Also at the very least most managers would not mind Agger, Skrtel, Hyppia, Arbeloa as first teamers or as squad players.

And if players are too attached to their previous manager, then I dont think how having a sports director would help. For example Arnesen is supposed to be one of the best around. But after Mourinho's departure looks like Drogba and Frank Lampard want to leave.

Too much suposition

[einar]

The main thing is that the manager should decide wich players to sign. It is never good for any club to have someone other then the manager who decides wich players to buy. But it might be a good plan to have someone to help Parry get the players Rafa wants because Rafa has complained about Parry taking to much time and therefor loosing the players Rafa wants. But Rafa is responsible for the team and how they do on the pitch and therefor it is only logical and fair that he should decide wich players to sign.