Man Utd set to appoint Director of Football (when hell freezes over)

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When is the restructuring and expansion completed? Both those items sound like the DoF won’t be hired anytime soon.
 
When you appoint a manager whose style of play is very different to the clubs ethos,wouldn’t a DOF only muddy the waters further?Barcelona keep appointing managers who subscribe to a similar style of play,so it makes sense for them to have a DOF.Chelsea and Real Madrid keep appointing managers on an Ad hoc basis,they basically just go for the flavour of the month rather than appoint managers as part of a long term strategy.And guess what,both clubs don’t have a DOF....

United right now are much more like Chelsea and Real Madrid,rather than Barca or Bayern.When the managers style of play is completely different to the clubs,how exactly will the DOF operate?Mourinho will obviously want to sign players who can implement his brand of football,and his brand of football isn’t the United way,and it most probably won’t be a style of play that will be adopted by his successor..,

So will the DOF recommend/approve players keeping in mind Mourinhos philosophy,or will he be more loyal to the clubs historical style of play.If he keeps approving Mourinhos players(strong,defensively sound,graft over craft) then Jose will be satisfied,but the next manager may not necessarily be comfortable working with those players(since there is a strong possibility that our next manager will probably revert to Uniteds original style of play)....If he does the opposite,Mourinho won’t be too pleased...So how exactly can a DOF plan for the long term when the manager in charge doesn’t play a brand of football that you won’t to see in the long run?
 
Nikelesh Reddy said:
When you appoint a manager whose style of play is very different to the clubs ethos,wouldn’t a DOF only muddy the waters further?Barcelona keep appointing managers who subscribe to a similar style of play,so it makes sense for them to have a DOF.Chelsea and Real Madrid keep appointing managers on an Ad hoc basis,they basically just go for the flavour of the month rather than appoint managers as part of a long term strategy.And guess what,both clubs don’t have a DOF....

United right now are much more like Chelsea and Real Madrid,rather than Barca or Bayern.When the managers style of play is completely different to the clubs,how exactly will the DOF operate?Mourinho will obviously want to sign players who can implement his brand of football,and his brand of football isn’t the United way,and it most probably won’t be a style of play that will be adopted by his successor..,

So will the DOF recommend/approve players keeping in mind Mourinhos philosophy,or will he be more loyal to the clubs historical style of play.If he keeps approving Mourinhos players(strong,defensively sound,graft over craft) then Jose will be satisfied,but the next manager may not necessarily be comfortable working with those players(since there is a strong possibility that our next manager will probably revert to Uniteds original style of play)....If he does the opposite,Mourinho won’t be too pleased...So how exactly can a DOF plan for the long term when the manager in charge doesn’t play a brand of football that you won’t to see in the long run?
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Both Chelsea and Real have/had DoFs - Emanalo at the former and most recently Zidane at the latter (not sure if he was replaced when he moved into the manager's position, the Real fans on the board would know)
 
Having Fergie for so many years spoilt us to shit. Who the feck where even our 'board' and what did they do back then except approve some cash to throw around every window?
 
I think people have some misconceptions about what a DoF actually does.

A DoF basically makes sure that the club as a whole continues on a consistent path, so, for example, there wouldn't be any hiring of 3 managers with 3 varying styles of football, who therefore want varying different players from each other and so on and so forth. So the DoF will stick to the ethos of the club, he won't mess around with the teams tactics or even tell the manager what to do, what he will do is only consider managers that have a similar philosophy as the clubs, if we want exciting attacking explosive football, he will only scout and suggest managers of this ilk, this stops the stupidity of hiring Moyes, LVG and then Mourinho, this also means that whilst, yes, managers will want their own players to some degree, they can work well with players of a previous manager because the previous manager will have played football in a similar manner. Take Klopp followed by Tuchel for example, and you can guarantee City will look for a manager similar to Guardiola once he decides to leave as well.

By all accounts this is how a top modern day football club is run now, i love Sir Alex and i love the club as much as the next person, but it's time to modernise now, we're fooling ourselves if we will get another person like Sir Alex, it's just not in the game anymore sorry, and it's sorely needed when clearly the big guns at the top of the club, like Ed Woodward, are not particularly football men, they are business men, it's all the more reason to get a DoF.
 
peridigm said:
When is the restructuring and expansion completed? Both those items sound like the DoF won’t be hired anytime soon.
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That's what I think.
Based on what took place this Summer, Woodward is our current DoF. And I think that this story about a DoF has only been brought about to take the limelight away from the fact that we have had one of the worst transfer windows in several years, overseen by Woodward.
 
sunama said:
That's what I think.
Based on what took place this Summer, Woodward is our current DoF. And I think that this story about a DoF has only been brought about to take the limelight away from the fact that we have had one of the worst transfer windows in several years, overseen by Woodward.
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More than likely.
 
Nikelesh Reddy said:
When you appoint a manager whose style of play is very different to the clubs ethos,wouldn’t a DOF only muddy the waters further?Barcelona keep appointing managers who subscribe to a similar style of play,so it makes sense for them to have a DOF.Chelsea and Real Madrid keep appointing managers on an Ad hoc basis,they basically just go for the flavour of the month rather than appoint managers as part of a long term strategy.And guess what,both clubs don’t have a DOF....

United right now are much more like Chelsea and Real Madrid,rather than Barca or Bayern.When the managers style of play is completely different to the clubs,how exactly will the DOF operate?Mourinho will obviously want to sign players who can implement his brand of football,and his brand of football isn’t the United way,and it most probably won’t be a style of play that will be adopted by his successor..,

So will the DOF recommend/approve players keeping in mind Mourinhos philosophy,or will he be more loyal to the clubs historical style of play.If he keeps approving Mourinhos players(strong,defensively sound,graft over craft) then Jose will be satisfied,but the next manager may not necessarily be comfortable working with those players(since there is a strong possibility that our next manager will probably revert to Uniteds original style of play)....If he does the opposite,Mourinho won’t be too pleased...So how exactly can a DOF plan for the long term when the manager in charge doesn’t play a brand of football that you won’t to see in the long run?
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You don't appoint a manager whose style is very different to the philosophy of the club, in the first place. One of the DoF's job is also to scout managers.
 
Laurent Blanc?

Good contacts in football, good footballing philosophy, recent and respected managerial experience, knows the modern game and the club.
 
Anything to take that power away from Woodward, I’m all for. He shouldn’t be involved whatsoever regarding transfers or actual footballing business. Let him stick to lining the Glazer pockets with sponsorships.
 
groovyalbert said:
Laurent Blanc?

Good contacts in football, good footballing philosophy, recent and respected managerial experience, knows the modern game and the club.
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Bit of a step down for him, no?
 
What's annoying, is that this will be discussed to death - but we may not find out until some time in 2019.
 
groovyalbert said:
Laurent Blanc?

Good contacts in football, good footballing philosophy, recent and respected managerial experience, knows the modern game and the club.
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Actually very good shout that.

L1nk said:
I think people have some misconceptions about what a DoF actually does.

A DoF basically makes sure that the club as a whole continues on a consistent path, so, for example, there wouldn't be any hiring of 3 managers with 3 varying styles of football, who therefore want varying different players from each other and so on and so forth. So the DoF will stick to the ethos of the club, he won't mess around with the teams tactics or even tell the manager what to do, what he will do is only consider managers that have a similar philosophy as the clubs, if we want exciting attacking explosive football, he will only scout and suggest managers of this ilk, this stops the stupidity of hiring Moyes, LVG and then Mourinho, this also means that whilst, yes, managers will want their own players to some degree, they can work well with players of a previous manager because the previous manager will have played football in a similar manner. Take Klopp followed by Tuchel for example, and you can guarantee City will look for a manager similar to Guardiola once he decides to leave as well.

By all accounts this is how a top modern day football club is run now, i love Sir Alex and i love the club as much as the next person, but it's time to modernise now, we're fooling ourselves if we will get another person like Sir Alex, it's just not in the game anymore sorry, and it's sorely needed when clearly the big guns at the top of the club, like Ed Woodward, are not particularly football men, they are business men, it's all the more reason to get a DoF.
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This is a very good post. Especially the 2nd sentence.

We need to stay on track with the modern game but also build some kind of consistent philosophy all football things considered. A DoF is a must for us who would call the shots on footballing matters.

I'd like us to step outside class of 92 or other candidates that would be hired just because are related to the club. Monchi was a great fit but unfortunately he's doing his thing at Roma now. If we have a choice I'd rather spend a big lump of sum getting him.
 
Revan said:
Could be. I think is more plausible though that we didn't get signings cause Woodward wasn't convinced that a) Mourinho is targeting the right players, b) Mourinho will be here next season, c) we couldn't get the players Mourinho wanted and failed to propose to Mourinho similar players with greater value. All of these things get fixed (at least in principle) by a DoF position.

Contrary to people's beliefs here, Woodward cares about United. Likely not in the sense of 'loving United like fans' but this is his biggest job he has ever had. If we do bad, then he is doing a bad job too, can eventually be sacked (he is not an owner like Abramovich who can do whatever he wants) and/or makes difficult for himself to get a higher position be it on the club or somewhere else. If United fails, so does Woodward. Assuming that he is a rational and intelligent person, he wants the best for United, not just to save face.
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Are you actually Woody? Apologist for the Glazers, full of it, full of accountancy, — how do you know Woodward “cares”? Either you are twelve or you are Woody?
 
Sky1981 said:
so. what do you propose on how a dof could make it better? what should he say?
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A DoF probably ought not to be saying anything like that at all to the media. He should do his talking directly with his counterparts at other clubs, making strong connections rather than going all Loadsamoney when the journos are around. The one thing you can say about most people in the DoF role is that they're not high profile and I think that's important with whoever we employ in the role.
 
Jippy said:
Bit of a step down for him, no?
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I mean, to the best of my knowledge he's not managed since leaving PSG in 2016. Not sure what he's been doing since then, but this could be a way for him to come back into football in a new role.

Personally, I've always liked him. His credentials speak for themselves and having French representation in the running of the club may appease certain key players lol.

He'd be my pick.
 
Tincanalley said:
Are you actually Woody? Apologist for the Glazers, full of it, full of accountancy, — how do you know Woodward “cares”? Either you are twelve or you are Woody?
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I am neither Woody nor Duncan Drasdo. Just that I find MUST full of shit, and shameless lies.

Of course Woody cares for United, same as any CEO care for the company he/she directs. It is like asking 'how do you know that Tim Cook cares about Apple?'.
 
groovyalbert said:
I mean, to the best of my knowledge he's not managed since leaving PSG in 2016. Not sure what he's been doing since then, but this could be a way for him to come back into football in a new role.

Personally, I've always liked him. His credentials speak for themselves and having French representation in the running of the club may appease certain key players lol.

He'd be my pick.
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As well as help some of the current upcoming crop to join
 
groovyalbert said:
I mean, to the best of my knowledge he's not managed since leaving PSG in 2016. Not sure what he's been doing since then, but this could be a way for him to come back into football in a new role.

Personally, I've always liked him. His credentials speak for themselves and having French representation in the running of the club may appease certain key players lol.

He'd be my pick.
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He indeed might be a good choice, but he hasn't ever worked as a DoF. I think it is a different job than manager. His French contacts might help though.

Leonardo who was PSG's (and I believe Milano's) DoF might be an another good choice.
 
groovyalbert said:
I mean, to the best of my knowledge he's not managed since leaving PSG in 2016. Not sure what he's been doing since then, but this could be a way for him to come back into football in a new role.

Personally, I've always liked him. His credentials speak for themselves and having French representation in the running of the club may appease certain key players lol.

He'd be my pick.
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He obviously knows the club too. I'd be suprised if it happens though.
 
Van der Sar is definitely the best name I've heard so far.

Just get the feeling that he's super loyal to Ajax though.
 
With a good dof we won't need to resort to finding old fashioned managers like van gaal, Mourinho, Ancelotti ect. The focus would be on finding a great coach. I just hope the top criteria will be to coach some excitement back into the team. The very last thing United should be is dull and boring.
 
Not against, but should be as sackable as the manager if things end in failure. Otherwise he's just like one of those monkeys that sit on hotel railings in Gibraltar.
 
AndyJ1985 said:
With a good dof we won't need to resort to finding old fashioned managers like van gaal, Mourinho, Ancelotti ect. The focus would be on finding a great coach. I just hope the top criteria will be to coach some excitement back into the team. The very last thing United should be is dull and boring.
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This.

I think most people are realistic enough to realise we won't be able to rekindle our Fergie-era dominance. But we should at least be good to watch and have a clear plan.
 
Needham said:
Varied depending on the manager in charge but The Sun confirm he's in the running for the Utd job.
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The Sun know feck all. VDS is doing an okay job at Ajax but nothing special. Not well liked by Ajax fans atm. He's not even their DoF. He's got absolutely no experience in that role. Apart from his history with the club I don't see any reason why we'd go with him. There's loads of better candidates out there. People who have actually proven themselves. People rooting for VDS to get it are just being sentimental about it
 
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