Yeah, we might go with DoF model or in a completely different way. I was just pointing out about Jose. He just says so many things to ditch all the responsibilities for his failures. Blame everyone except himself.
Man Utd set to appoint Director of Football (when hell freezes over)
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Yeah, we might go with DoF model or in a completely different way. I was just pointing out about Jose. He just says so many things to ditch all the responsibilities for his failures. Blame everyone except himself.
He was the one pushing back for our plans on structure. Also the one who wanted to sell players like Martial and Pogba. A structure wouldn’t allow that to happen.
In indsight it seems rather ridiculous, when we hired all those scouts without having a DoF laying the masterplan of who and where they should scout.
Im sure they're fine scouts, but its weird leadership and a strange structure. I guess we were playing to the old tune of Mourinho's structure but still.
Im sure they're fine scouts, but its weird leadership and a strange structure. I guess we were playing to the old tune of Mourinho's structure but still.
And sign Van der Sar, ffs.
Has a background as director, understands youth, understands United, has lived and played in different countries and also been at small clubs. Also calm and collected, we'll respected.
Simply ticks ALL the boxes.
Has a background as director, understands youth, understands United, has lived and played in different countries and also been at small clubs. Also calm and collected, we'll respected.
Simply ticks ALL the boxes.
He joined knowing what the score was.
Or do you mean a structure that didn't fit in with his vision of a structure? At the end of the day we have a team of talented players whose talents he failed to utilise;that was his job. He failed and is now looking for a scapegoat. No doubt he'll step into a job soon enough but don't bank on the hierarchy buying into his outdated bullshit anymore.
This, It's almost like Kim Jong Un claiming lack of democracy is the reason for North Korea's problems.
He is but that doesn't make his points about structure untrue. We all know that transfer decisions at the club have been driven by profit, commercial and resale priorities, not footballing ones. Of course if we had a DoF and a proper structure, Jose would never have been appointed in the first place.
VDS is the CEO of Ajax, their equivalent of Woodward. Marc Overmars is their DOF.
Background as marketing director too
Could be wrong but my understanding is he is not the equivalent of Woodward. He is CEO but it's a technical role regarding the footballing side of the business rather than commercial dealings but you are correct in that Marc Overmars is DOF and deals with transfers.
I would seriously consider giving the job to Nicky Butt. He has been doing am amazing job of recruiting top talent for our academy where previously City and Chelsea were dominating. He must be doing something right to get those youngsters to sign when they have so many options.
As for all those exotic names from Europe, it's easy to forget that they can recruit players from South America and Africa very easily, but will not be getting work permits for those players in the UK.
As for all those exotic names from Europe, it's easy to forget that they can recruit players from South America and Africa very easily, but will not be getting work permits for those players in the UK.
Apparently going to Arsenal.
Got involved in a fight with a fan. Their ciaco has also been sacked.
Tbh, I don't want him.
Tbh, I don't want him.
The DoF stories were probably just a convenient distraction for Woodward to wheel out when results were poor. It seemed like a new story appeared every time we did something embarrassing on the pitch.
Essentially, it was the new version of the dick-swinging Ed engaged in from 2013-16 ("we can do things in the market other clubs can only dream of", outlandish transfer wishlists etc etc) - gives the press something to talk about and the fans something to look forward to, which keeps the heat off him when things go badly.
I doubt we'll hear anymore about the sainted Director of Football, unless things with Ole all go a bit 'Roberto Di Matteo' next season, at which point you can expect the stories to reappear.
Ole has already said that he has given Woodward the infamous manager's list of transfers. Nothing has changed, any DoF we get will mean nothing this summer, if we even get one.
Woodward wont give up power. Ole mentioned how he told woodward the direction he wants the team to take and how he wants it to look in a few seasons, implying Woodward will deal with transfers. To be honest, if Ole wanted to angle for the job I cant see there being more than 3 signings on that team. Hopefully once he signs the contract he starts demanding signings. This is why we need a DOF, someone who can see where the team needs strengthening. Woodward has no experience in this, he will look at Luke Shaw and think we dont need to spend on another LB, even though we need cover. Our squad is congested with average players in certain areas like CB but completely empty in other areas like RW and Fullback.
Idk. Sound like Ole has more power to get his demand met before signing the contract. I meant Woodward can back out his promises like he did with previous managers (not all three told the same stories) and shifted the blame & reaponsibilities to manager when the ink is dried. Without the contract, the fan know exactly who does what and no hiding for Woodward trying pull that trick on the manager.
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I don't understand where the notion that Woodward is some crazed power hungry maniac comes from? He's said we are going to get in a Director, why is everyone thinking he's lying all of a sudden just cause things aren't happening at your pace...
Yes I agree. Woodward has no place to hide if things go wrong. However, Ole is performing miracles with our current squad. This may lead to a more casual outlook from Woodward this summer. The coming transfer window is the most important one since Sir Alex left. It was define the direction the club will take and show fans how serious the Glazers and Woodward are about getting the club winning trophies. I do not want us to have such a lack of quality in key areas and it falling back on Ole when things go wrong.
All 3 managers since SAF retirement told the similar story about being promised everything being fine, but felt like promise being broken afterward.
You can promote a tea lady to DOF, and hide behind that when thing goes wrong. What matters is not title of the job, but what's actually done.
So did SAF too in the past. Managers will be grumpy when they can't get their targets.
So we need a DoF to tell Ole what style of football to play?Ole already knows who are the incoming players that would complement our squad as well as those that need to moved on,what we need is someone that is going to get these deals completed!
I thought this too, especially as he probably feels vindicated for telling Mourinho to make the best of what he had.
I don't get this point. What did you even mean?
It's not just mere missed targets. Having your partner betray you is not funny. Peter Kenyon was gone after Ronaldinho debacle. Imagine, Kenyon continued, and going out his way to mess up SAF's preferred targets?
Woodward is in no position to be vindicated or telling manager what to do. He was the one renewed Mourinho contract. Ole and the backroom with Mike Phelan is clearly the suggestion from SAF. Woodward was the one who picked LVG then Mourinho. If Woodward had the gut, he would have sacked Mourinho before the season start. There and then we had every chance with the league. Not when we're sliding down the table. Giving him credit for Ole episode is reaching. The next act where how well Woodward can support the next permanent manager (can't see no one but Ole) is What can vindicate Woodward.
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What has Woodward not done that has betrayed the managers that isn't related to not completing deals?
Monchi has left Roma by mutual consent according to GDM.
I'd also like to know
Absolutely wrong. If ass kissing is all he does, I can take up the job, just give me unlimited entertainment budget and extra large budget on player purchase.
If you are key personnel of a big club with large wallet, those so-called super agents will call you every day, just to offload their expensive clients at really expensive fees. No, the role of a DOF should be
1. Establish and uphold a club strategy on players. ie if the club believe in fast counter-attack then Mata should have never been bought, same for Fellaini.
2. Uphold club policy on ageing players as well as releasing Academy players. Are we getting a better deal by swapping Welbeck for Falcao, and Rafael for Darmian, and Cleverley for Schneiderlin.
3. Act as a bridge between Board and Football Manager. Most CEO or Chairman know little about football since Fergi retired the club has been at mercy of individual managers who buy and sell players as he please. DOF needs to counter and balance each decision, in consideration of #1 #2 above.
4. Enforce football manager taking structure approach on players recruitment, such as asking lots of why.
5. Negotiate with agent and clubs on players recruitment (and selling). You only need to kiss Agents ass if you want to negotiate for a deep discount on agent fee (good luck), otherwise it should be very professional negotiation and bargaining. Relationship can be delegated to Head Scouts or Head of Recruitment.
There are still many gaps and holes between Football manager and DOF, hence I would prefer getting someone already has plenty of experience as DOF, instead of another old boy who needs to learn on the job.
It isnt about moving things along at a speed that satisfies fans or caftards, its about having someone in place in time to do his job this summer. How can someone come in now, fresh to the job, and have time to oversee our transfer business for July / August? Its already too late for him to have any role whatsoever in the appointment of Ole, but that's OK because that's turned out to be a rather easy decision to make. But player transfer targets? Those take months to sort out, and that is from the moment you decide what you want to do, unless the incoming DOF already knows he has the job, nobody has even started thinking about this yet, so that is more time on top.
Basically, it seems to me that we have already left it too late for a DOF to have any significant influence over the upcoming window. So yes, if we get one that will be great for summer 2020, but that's a long way away to be getting excited now.
I'm not overly fussed who we get as DOF (be it a household name like a Monchi or an up-and-comer like Mitchell) as long as they develop our identity and philosophy.
No offence to the blokes as they actually turned out to be decent servants over the years but Fellaini and Mata were never United signings and we've completed gone away from our original identity. Hopefully it comes back.
No offence to the blokes as they actually turned out to be decent servants over the years but Fellaini and Mata were never United signings and we've completed gone away from our original identity. Hopefully it comes back.
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With Monchi now leaving Roma we need to snatch him up before Arsenal do!
Either we’re great at keeping things behind-the-scenes or we’ve not made much, if any progress with appointing a DoF.
Don't think we'll get one now we're sticking with Ole 
would be a huge mistake once again, but our board will never learn. As long as things are going well, I feel like Ed is very happy to keep the structure as it is.
would be a huge mistake once again, but our board will never learn. As long as things are going well, I feel like Ed is very happy to keep the structure as it is.I really hope not. I don't think he's as impressive as a lot of people seem to think.
So.. all the people with Mourinho swore we needed a DOF to start playing good football.
Now he's gone and Ole is in charge, do we really need a DOF again? If Ole targets people like De Ligt / Sancho, do we really need a glorified scout to tell us that?
I'm honestly not sure we need one, but if Ole is a short term option then maybe.
Now he's gone and Ole is in charge, do we really need a DOF again? If Ole targets people like De Ligt / Sancho, do we really need a glorified scout to tell us that?
I'm honestly not sure we need one, but if Ole is a short term option then maybe.
Yes. We still need one. A DOF isn't about just the here and now, it's about building for the future, setting up a blueprint going forward. Woody is still Woody, I don't know why everyone would suddenly back him just because we've got Ole, that's naive.
God dam people just want to complain even when things are looking well.
This success we are seeing atm is down to ole & Woodward - I trust whatever they do together.
This success we are seeing atm is down to ole & Woodward - I trust whatever they do together.
We need a director of football, but actually now having a manager that aligns with what our footballing vision would be, makes it a bit less critical to get the DoF sorted before the manager. The issue is that Ole could quickly become undermined should we start pursuing the wrong players, based on name and image, rather than our longer term on-field ethos. We won't solve our post-Ferguson problems until we get a DoF really.
That's fair, but there's also the concern of getting in the wrong person. There's no point in bringing in DOF just to say we have one. How many good ones are out there anyway and are willing and able to move? I don't think it's an easy process at all.
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