News: The OMT for the 1st Ever MUFC D.O.F

Yeah, I'm concerned that the role we're searching for appears to have switched from a DoF to a "Technical Director". Obviously a title is just a title and it could be functionally identical but technical director strikes me as someone in charge of unifying the footballing philosophy of the club between the senior team, the youth teams and the recruitment process, but critically not someone who necessarily has the last word on all footballing matters. If Phelan is the hire it would be my expectation that Woody would still be making the final decisions on big ticket items, and that's a concern. It would be a definite improvement over the current setup, but not necessarily enough.

 

If Phelan become DoF Woodward's head is on the line. The fans will not let it slide. He is trying too hard to appeal to fans.

 

Personally, I think our technical strategy is exactly what need's most attention.

We need someone with oversight of the football philosophy from top to bottom, from juniors to seniors. Someone who can help smooth that path and transition for a youngster into the senior team (when applicable).

And, most importantly, somebody to be a strategic link with strong football knowledge for the manager to the front office (woody and judge).

We're in the state we're in, not because of one single bad decision on a big ticket purchase (no matter how atrocious Sanchez has been) but because it's been a culmination of smaller decisions over a period of time. A real scatter gun approach to everything.

Let Ole get on with the coaching sessions, the tactics and the in the locker motivation.

Let Woody and co (because let's face it, he doesn't do this stuff all by himself) get on with the nitty gritty and legalese of the contracts.

Then find a football strategy guy in the head office to bring those 2 concepts together.

 

I doubt it is. The average fan doesnt even know who Woodward is or at the very least don't know how much power he has. Even if the fans attending the match started calling for Woody's head, it wouldnt register with the Glazers unless they felt a financial impact.

 

1120437671900450817 is not a valid tweet id

 

Huge reaction to this story today and it's understandable...Mike Phelan is a great coach with huge respect in the game, but United's recruitment structure badly needs a proven Sporting Director.

Alex Ferguson is calling the shots here, but this would be a risky move #MUFC https://t.co/6ytEQFvfNR

— Kevin Palmer 💙 (@RealKevinPalmer) April 22, 2019

 

The phelan thing brings a new dimension in terms of discussion points but is an incredibly dumb move. Keep the man where he performance best. It's not like ole has this wealth of experience.

Oh man we can find a way to screw things up in our sleep.

 

Maybe he doesn't want to stay where he is.

 

This club could ******** up a one car funeral procession.

 

Our one true advantage in that regard is that we are public and markets are incredibly reactionary.

One truly bad 10Q and Woodward will rightfully feel the pressure.

 

Unless the fans stop showing up to games or stop buying the merch, any protest towards the board or any of its members will be futile.
We all remember the green and gold movement after the Glazers took control: it was all for naught as they just opted to ride it out and just wait for it to die.
Woodward will do the same if any protest from the fans comes his way. The only way I see him losing his job is either if he stops making the club money or if the results on the pitch get alarmingly bad that a change is warranted (and it's likely then he wouldn't get the ax). It would take plenty unfortunately for his place to genuinely be under threat.

 

Oh FFS we have lost the plot.

 

Manchester United are delighted to announce the appointment of Fred The Red as Chief Financial Officer. pic.twitter.com/dyjg181R69

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) April 30, 2019

Have no issue with Rio getting a job somewhere at the club and eventually work his way up to a position like DoF: that is the model we should aspire to (as Bayern does it). But the first DoF we appoint should most definitely be an experienced one.

 

Wow, even the Guardian running with the Ferdinand as Sporting Director story. Some meat there, no doubts.

 

Get ready for official #5 brand club apparel.

 

Woody considering candidates without any Technical Director or Director of Football experience because he doesn’t want his power overshadowed. Get ********ed Ed.

 

Rio being considered for the position is confusing for many reasons. First, while I don't doubt that he has it in him to be successful in that job in time, he obviously doesn't have any experience to fall back on at this time and his learning curve would be pretty steep.
Not only that though, the notion that he somehow would become a 'yes man' to Woodward really does not compute at all. One of the reasons Rio is liked in his capacity as pundit, is that not only he's an unapologetic United guy, thru and thru. But also because he's honest and tells it like it is.
And therefore the thought of him becoming a lap dog to Woodward of sorts, is just very odd and does not make sense. Good thing though that Paul Mitchell still appears to be top of Woodward's list. Hopefully, we'll find out soon where his future lies. But hiring Rio as a direct assistant to someone like Mitchell, with the goal being to replace him one day, that would make far more sense and it would be way to go here...

https://www.skysports.com/football/...manchester-united-sporting-director-shortlist

 

This has been the narrative. Dont blame you guys for thinking this.

But come on, this sounds remarkably childish.

What does woodward gain long term by keeping his power while the club fails?

Doesnt he benefit more in the long term, if things go well?

 

Yeah Woody beaming for pet child .. sounda about right ...

 

Dont like to agree with the Daily Mail but agree with much of this;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...hester-United-forward-technical-director.html

Specifically one key test for any DoF is can you imagine them credibly negotiating with the likes of sharks such as Mino Raiola?

City's Txiki Begiristain yes, Rio or Mike Phelan no. Edwin yes, Paul Mitchell yes etc.

 

Rio and VdS talking about what it takes to be a successful backroom exec at a top club?

Rio refuses to address the rumors linking him to the DoF position at United

https://www.independent.ie/sport/so...cal-director-position-increases-38066601.html

Doesn't necessarily mean he's got the job yet, but it surely means that the rumors that he's had discussions with Woodward about it are absolutely legit. Interesting...

 

how many years has Woodward been trying to hire a football director?

seems he doesn't really want one

 

He's been really serious about it in the past year... There is talk that he wanted one post van Gaal but Mourinho reportedly has vehemently opposed the idea of it (with the exception of Berta, the Atleti DoF, who is a friend and Mendes client incidentally). He could have overruled him I suppose but we know and have seen firsthand how Mourinho gets in that instance.
I think this notion that we will not hire a DoF is absolutely rubbish: whether it's the person we were hoping for is a different matter entirely. But coming straight from his mouth last summer, plus the fact that we're a disaster at the moment, for all intents and purposes, it will end up happening.

 

Like how you were sure at the start of this thread that Ed would have it sorted by the turn of the year

Even if he appoints someone, the jury will be out as to how it develops and how much he allows the person to do. Plus he is leaving it late given the transfer window opens in a few weeks and other clubs will have already been conducting business in preparation.

After all, Ed ((your business genius) has done such a fantastic job of giving us this valuable squad on this frugal salary structure - so will be easy for the new guy to move players like Jones, Rojo, Smalling etc. on for good fees

Will have to wait and see what shape we are in at the end of the summer window - that is the only judgement that matters.