Arsenal's Director of Football

Discussion in 'Arsenal' started by antifan, Apr 22, 2007.

  1. antifan

    antifan Member+

    Aug 14, 2004
    The Scottie
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    With Dein's departure, Arsenal is now looking to fill a position as director of Football, and Wenger has declared that the decision will be his.

    "There will definitely be a director of football coming and it will definitely be my choice. At present I'm doing both jobs - the one David Dein used to do and my own."

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/6581073.stm

    I wonder how long it will take to fill the position and who Wenger's choice will be. There is already speculation on possible candidates. The Guardian mentioned former UEFA Chief Executive Lars Christer Olsson, along with Gerard Houllier, and Damien Comolli. I'm sure that further speculation will fuel the gossip pages over the next few weeks.


    http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/04/21/arsenal_start_search_for_the_n.html
     
  2. FabregasTED

    FabregasTED Member

    Jan 2, 2007
    New Haven, CT
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    I heard Wenger's gonna take the job himself, and Arsenal are gonna hire Mourinho to coach :eek:

    Seriously though, as much as Dein will be missed the sooner this position is filled the better.
     
  3. antifan

    antifan Member+

    Aug 14, 2004
    The Scottie
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Real Madrid appointed a former player as their Director of Football. I wonder if Wenger will consider any former players? Bergkamp came to mind, but not flying would be a significant liability.
     
  4. GoonerMan

    GoonerMan New Member

    Jul 21, 2004
    Essex,England
    id love to see him get damien commoli back on our books that would be a hilarious and a giant kick in the teeth to sperzzzzzzzz
     
  5. antifan

    antifan Member+

    Aug 14, 2004
    The Scottie
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Wow, this thread has been mostly ignored, i'm kinda embarrassed. Did i mention that Franck R*****y and Yaya Toure have been named as possible candidates for the job. :D
     
  6. RealMadGunner

    RealMadGunner Member

    Jul 19, 2006
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Guess if Wenger does both the jobs, he'll look much skinny in the coming season ..

    Hope he apoints an efficient person ..
     
  7. stockholmarse

    stockholmarse New Member

    Oct 7, 2004
    Stockholm
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    My heart says Tony Adams but my brain disagrees.
     
  8. antifan

    antifan Member+

    Aug 14, 2004
    The Scottie
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Gilles Grimandi?
     
  9. RealMadGunner

    RealMadGunner Member

    Jul 19, 2006
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Good idea .. The last time i heard, he's pretty good at any position .. :D
     
  10. Miles Brasher

    Miles Brasher Member

    Sep 6, 2004
    Coventry,England
    Wenger needs someone for the financial wrangling side of it, so he's likely to have a business background.
     
  11. Rungostar

    Rungostar Member

    Apr 4, 2006
    Washington, DC
    That would be the smart move. Recognizing football talent is only one half of the battle. The Director will need to understand fiscally what works and how to negotiate the right kind of deal that both the player and the club can live with. It's a delicate balance and one that can't be taken for granted.
     
  12. deaner1971

    deaner1971 Member+

    Aug 10, 2005
    Columbus, Ohio
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Mr. Charlie George or me.

    Then again, I'll just ring Mr. George and ask what I should do so...
     
  13. Lanesra

    Lanesra BigSoccer Supporter

    Feb 13, 2003
    LONDON
    George Graham?
     
  14. Naushad78

    Naushad78 New Member

    Jul 14, 2006
    I like Houllier for the football side of things but on the financial side, I am clueless. Also, I think Wenger needs to appoint someone with who he shares a very high level of trust but also someone who will keep him honest.
     
  15. deaner1971

    deaner1971 Member+

    Aug 10, 2005
    Columbus, Ohio
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Boooo!

    Sorry, that was a joke right?
     
  16. mpeabody

    mpeabody New Member

    Jun 3, 2005
    Lexington, KY
    I have a hard time believing Houllier would leave Lyon.

    I'm sure it will end up being some 17 year old French kid we've never heard of.
     
  17. GunnerJacket

    GunnerJacket Moderator
    Staff Member

    Sep 18, 2003
    Gainesville, GA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Ha! LOL, that's perfect. :D

    Seriously, it has to be a numbers guy and that's why I think it will likely be a name we don't know. Wenger and his staff will do enough of the scouting that the club won't be loking for a judge of talent, just the person who'll bring the talent to the club at the right price. Seemingly, this person will also be helping advise the Board on the overall financial and business dealings of the club. I doubt they'll champion lowering ticket prices or other kickbacks for the fans, but they'll also be shrewed enough to keep the club from coming within a continent of insolvency. Let the manager, players and overall strength of the club drive the actual football. The person that fills this position must essentialy be a CFO that keeps giving wenger the resources he needs to keep up the success.
     
  18. goonsquad

    goonsquad Member

    Apr 1, 2004
    Los Angeles
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Where do I send my resume?;)
     
  19. ASkergonan

    ASkergonan New Member

    Nov 16, 2006
    pdx- st. johns
    Houllier recently touted to stay:
    http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=421226&cc=5901

    He would seem to be an ideal candidate, though, since he has long been involved with UEFA and FIFA, and would be a well-respected and desirable figurehead.

    However, I would think that Wenger would want someone who is slightly more ''moldable', and perhaps even disposable in the face of a Dein return.
     
  20. goonsquad

    goonsquad Member

    Apr 1, 2004
    Los Angeles
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    A big NO to Houllier.
     
  21. gooner4eva

    gooner4eva New Member

    Oct 25, 2006
    Bangor University
    im sure grimandi is one of wengers scouts,
    in giles grimandi you have a person who bleeds arsenal and has a close relationship with wenger due to his scouting. im not so sure what his business acumen is though.
     
  22. antifan

    antifan Member+

    Aug 14, 2004
    The Scottie
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  23. fitz06

    fitz06 New Member

    Jun 14, 2005
    Manchester, England
    he won my eternal love when he fouled that ex spurs player (davids) in the DB10 testimonial,:)

    he knew we couldnt have a former spud be the first ever goalscorer at arsenal stadium
     
  24. TxTechGooner

    TxTechGooner we're having fun here, no?

    Feb 24, 2003
    what a great moment that was...
     
  25. PsychedelicCeltic

    PsychedelicCeltic New Member

    Dec 10, 2003
    San Francisco/London
    Huntelaar had already scored though. :p
     

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