Director of Football Coming In?

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With silent owners and a manager not really involved in the transfer dealing, the club desperate needs a Director of Football.

Lack of communication does nothing but damage the reputation of the owners. If there's a plan, they need to tell fans. In language we can understand and not press releases with a few buzzwords.

I have zero issue with the owners not directly communicating but they need to have a representative on their behalf, whether that's a DoF or CEO, who does.
 
robbiez666 said:
With silent owners and a manager not really involved in the transfer dealing, the club desperate needs a Director of Football.

Lack of communication does nothing but damage the reputation of the owners. If there's a plan, they need to tell fans. In language we can understand and not press releases with a few buzzwords.

I have zero issue with the owners not directly communicating but they need to have a representative on their behalf, whether that's a DoF or CEO, who does.
Click to expand...
Genuine question… do you have examples of other clubs who have DoF that publicly state the “plan” to their fans? What exactly are you hoping to hear?
 
robbiez666 said:
With silent owners and a manager not really involved in the transfer dealing, the club desperate needs a Director of Football.

Lack of communication does nothing but damage the reputation of the owners. If there's a plan, they need to tell fans. In language we can understand and not press releases with a few buzzwords.

I have zero issue with the owners not directly communicating but they need to have a representative on their behalf, whether that's a DoF or CEO, who does.
Click to expand...
Not necessarily disagreeing but how do we know the manager is not really involved in the transfer dealings? We have nothing concrete to go by other than what we see.

The signings of Barry and Bindon would maybe suggest he does have a say?
 
designedbyross said:
Genuine question… do you have examples of other clubs who have DoF that publicly state the “plan” to their fans? What exactly are you hoping to hear?
Click to expand...
What's happening with the training pitch?
What's happening with the Academy?
Explain the AI signings and what they're aiming to do with them?
What are the recruitment priorities?
What is the recruitment philosophy?

By saying nothing, they're encouraging fans to turn against them. Encouraging stories to be spread about them having no money. About them only wanting to just sign loans and free. Encouraging press stories about splits in the boardroom. It's madness.

Why would you spend so much on something and then just ignore one of the most important aspects of running any business?
 
Sizablade said:
Not necessarily disagreeing but how do we know the manager is not really involved in the transfer dealings? We have nothing concrete to go by other than what we see.

The signings of Barry and Bindon would maybe suggest he does have a say?
Click to expand...
When asked about incoming and outgoings he's said he's not involved with the process after identifying players.
 
designedbyross said:
Genuine question… do you have examples of other clubs who have DoF that publicly state the “plan” to their fans? What exactly are you hoping to hear?
Click to expand...

Me personally, nothing to do with playing staff/budgets on transfers etc, but perhaps their plan for CAT 1 academy, plan for the HSBC site. Timelines, strategy, clarity.

Proof that their mission statement to “improve every aspect of the football club” is genuine

We know our owners are no Wrexham or Birmingham consortium, who keep announcing to everyone who listens about their intentions, but 7 directors and not a peep has me thinking that because we didn’t go up, we/they are now pissing in the wind?
 
robbiez666 said:
What's happening with the training pitch?
What's happening with the Academy?
Explain the AI signings and what they're aiming to do with them?
What are the recruitment priorities?
What is the recruitment philosophy?

By saying nothing, they're encouraging fans to turn against them. Encouraging stories to be spread about them having no money. About them only wanting to just sign loans and free. Encouraging press stories about splits in the boardroom. It's madness.

Why would you spend so much on something and then just ignore one of the most important aspects of running any business?
Click to expand...
Questions 1 and 2 sure, it’d be nice to know.

Questions 3 and 5 they’re hoping to sign young cheap players backed by data who can be developed into saleable assets.

Question 4 is one for the manager/head of recruitment, and Selles has highlighted the obvious lack of defenders. If we’re still in this position over the next few weeks then 100% someone needs to be held accountable.

A DoF isn’t going to have an interview every week to address the latest rumours on forums/social media/in the press though, that just doesn’t happen despite fans wanting to know everything that’s happening.
 

robbiez666 said:
With silent owners and a manager not really involved in the transfer dealing, the club desperate needs a Director of Football.

Lack of communication does nothing but damage the reputation of the owners. If there's a plan, they need to tell fans. In language we can understand and not press releases with a few buzzwords.

I have zero issue with the owners not directly communicating but they need to have a representative on their behalf, whether that's a DoF or CEO, who does.
Click to expand...

We have a plan which j quite like if we had someone doing transfers capable of making it happen. The issue with Bettis is he lets the marker dictate what we do.
 
designedbyross said:
Questions 1 and 2 sure, it’d be nice to know.

Questions 3 and 5 they’re hoping to sign young cheap players backed by data who can be developed into saleable assets.

Question 4 is one for the manager/head of recruitment, and Selles has highlighted the obvious lack of defenders. If we’re still in this position over the next few weeks then 100% someone needs to be held accountable.

A DoF isn’t going to have an interview every week to address the latest rumours on forums/social media/in the press though, that just doesn’t happen despite fans wanting to know everything that’s happening.
Click to expand...

So, their plan is to only sign young cheap players backed by data, is it? Because that sound like a recipe for relegation.

You don't need a DoF to speak to the press every week. But there needs to be regular communication with the fans. We have a statement when they bought it and a statement over the management change.

They've not explained why they've changes the manager, which leaves fans unhappy as we saw yesterday. Fans see p;ayers being sold and nothing being spent and they're unhappy.

They need to manage expectations, explain what they're trying to do and support the coach who is essentially being thrown to the wolves at the moment.

All we've had is a few short statements with little substance.

The vacuum is only causing fan unhappiness. Fans who are the customers of their business.
 
Sean Thornton said:
Evidence that it’s his decision alone?
Click to expand...

When we got promoted under Hecky tell me about our first game against Crystal Palace and how our team looked. This is not his first rodeo, so although it may not be all his decision, he should know better than this. Are you saying the Yanks are holding us back, have you got evidence of that?
 
robbiez666 said:
So, their plan is to only sign young cheap players backed by data, is it? Because that sound like a recipe for relegation.

You don't need a DoF to speak to the press every week. But there needs to be regular communication with the fans. We have a statement when they bought it and a statement over the management change.

They've not explained why they've changes the manager, which leaves fans unhappy as we saw yesterday. Fans see p;ayers being sold and nothing being spent and they're unhappy.

They need to manage expectations, explain what they're trying to do and support the coach who is essentially being thrown to the wolves at the moment.

All we've had is a few short statements with little substance.

The vacuum is only causing fan unhappiness. Fans who are the customers of their business.
Click to expand...
For the so called “AI” players, yes. It’s impossible to judge if that’s the only plan or not when there’s 3 weeks of the transfer window left.

I just don’t think you’re getting the answers to the other stuff anytime soon, even if we had a DoF, and wanting statements at this point just feels a bit knee jerk to yesterday. Like I said, if we don’t sign anyone (or anyone of substance - which we should, as we’ve ran out of ESC slots so signings now should be of a better pedigree in theory) then 100% I agree with you that there are questions that need to be answered.
 
designedbyross said:
A DoF isn’t going to have an interview every week to address the latest rumours on forums/social media/in the press though, that just doesn’t happen despite fans wanting to know everything that’s happening.
Click to expand...


You don't need to exaggerate to make your point.

Nobody has suggested a weekly check-in with the ownership.

At most, I'm sure an annual update would suffice.
But the minimum I think we should expect is some sort of introduction at the outset?
 
CaptainMorgans said:
You don't need to exaggerate to make your point.

Nobody has suggested a weekly check-in with the ownership.

At most, I'm sure an annual update would suffice.
But the minimum I think we should expect is some sort of introduction at the outset?
Click to expand...
But the point relates to addressing various rumours, ie whether we can only sign frees and loans, Selles has stated numerous times we can spend on players and reinvest some of the fees, so why do we need a DoF to make a statement saying the same thing?

It also relates to wanting “regular communication with fans” which I don’t think an annual update is very regular? Bettis does them every now and again, ironically the first question last time was “why did it take so long to get players in this summer” 😅
 
designedbyross said:
But the point relates to addressing various rumours, ie whether we can only sign frees and loans, Selles has stated numerous times we can spend on players and reinvest some of the fees, so why do we need a DoF to make a statement saying the same thing?

It also relates to wanting “regular communication with fans” which I don’t think an annual update is very regular? Bettis does them every now and again, ironically the first question last time was “why did it take so long to get players in this summer” 😅
Click to expand...

I doubt (m)any fans that are begrudging the lack of comms from the owners want them to go into specific details around transfer targets or budgets.
Nor wish for a regular update beyond annual.


To my mind, they need to bring some football intelligence into the Board room and have a spokesperson to address their customers.
It really isn't a big ask given they're running a football club.
 
CaptainMorgans said:
I doubt (m)any fans that are begrudging the lack of comms from the owners want them to go into specific details around transfer targets or budgets.
Nor wish for a regular update beyond annual.


To my mind, they need to bring some football intelligence into the Board room and have a spokesperson to address their customers.
It really isn't a big ask given they're running a football club.
Click to expand...

It’s pretty vanilla stuff, not sure why some posters continue to find it so objectionable.
 
The DOF is a hole that is now bigger than the CB position. Its not about replacing Bettis as CEO its bringing in a resource to complement him relieving the workload and improving the recruitment and contractual process. A DOF or Sporting Director can sit alongside a CEO responsible for football matters including sports science, medical rehabilitation the academy all football recruitment and contract negotiations including building relationships with agents ,the womens football team. It needs to be an experienced operator who preferably has a football background and a track record of carrying out the role. Some former players such as Leigh Bromby who now has his own football recruitment company have been very successful in this role.

This allows time for the CEO to manage the whole of the business operation and concentrate on delivering the owners business plan covering sustainability, financial planning in line with PSR requirements and such issues as ground improvements and health and safety.

This enables speed of decision making informed football advice and the ability to react to changing circumstances not least when results on the field are impacting revenue streams. Communication is important but should not be solely at the door of the SD. In fact this structure allows Bettis more time and another session with Rob Staton to discuss COH's approach to SUFC would be helpful.

The reality is whilst you keep the supporters in the dark and they can see failings on and off the field they will vote with their feet affecting the viability of the Club. Its not about paying lip service to supporter communication though the likes of FAB its setting out the owners vision which includes an improved off field structure. Yes an DOF/SD is an additional cost but much more will be lost if the club drift down the table and yesterdays second half aberration becomes the norm
 
robbiez666 said:
All we've had is a few short statements with little substance.

The vacuum is only causing fan unhappiness. Fans who are the customers of their business.
Click to expand...

If you had experience you’d find that giving substance just gives fans ammunition to attack.
Also communication also gives ammunition to criticise.

You find with most clubs and most businesses, communication regards important stuff is kept to a minimum.
Name a local club that communicates? There isn’t any.

Regards change of manager. They’ll probably say they weren’t happy about certain aspects of Sheff Utd culture and wanted to make their own stamp.
The support and excess power of any manager is massively worrying, the fact that people support Wilder over Sheff Utd highlights there was a problem.

However it would be unwise to say that….as sone people would twist it and say it was attack against the fans.
Then before you know it you get mass protests about something that’s been mis understood,

Basically they want to take the club forward….not stuck in little Sheffielder Blady Blade mentality.
Also there were loads of fans not wanting the PL last season,,,,if the fans lack ambition then it puts owners off.
 
54yrblade said:
Every business, mine included, knows that communication with your team and clients is central to what you're aiming to do and keeping people informed

Silence causes harm to your brand

This isn't difficult!
Click to expand...

Football is very different, name me any club that regularly communicates?
Surely you should understand that fans are irrational and partisan.

When a team loses everything said is twisted into a negative.
Fans refuse to listen to reasons/ excuses or plans to rectify things….its often a simple case of `’he’s crap…get rid”.

For example SU could communicate that we are desperate for defenders and intend yo bring 3 defenders in.
That communication could cost the club a few million because clubs instantly put their asking price up thinking we’re desperate.
Also if we only bring in 2 defenders instead of 3, fans won’t be happy we’ve bought 2 defenders they’ll be questioning why we missed out on the 3rd defender.

Selles might communicate he’s learnt that you can’t play expansive football so will be more defensive,
Fans will then complain he’s accepted his style has failed, he’s changing style of play so is incompetent or if we’re doing defensive we may as well have Wilder back.
 
Last edited:
Sheffsteel said:
Football is very different, name me any club that regularly communicates?
Surely you should understand that fans are irrational and partisan.

When a team loses everything said is twisted into a negative.
Fans refuse to listen to reasons/ excuses or plans to rectify things….its often a simple case of `’he’s crap…get rid”.

For example SU could communicate that we are desperate for defenders and intend yo bring 3 defenders in.
That communication could cost the club a few million because clubs instantly put their asking price up thinking we’re desperate.
Also if we only bring in 2 defenders instead of 3, fans won’t be happy we’ve bought 2 defenders they’ll be questioning why we missed out on the 3rd defender.

Selles might communicate he’s learnt that you can’t play expansive football so will be more defensive,
Fans will then complain he’s accepted his style has failed, he’s changing style of play so is incompetent or if we’re doing defensive we may as well have Wilder back.
Click to expand...

It’s pretty commonplace for regular updates from CEOs and introductions from new ownership. No one is looking for granular detail on transfers, just communicating the overall aims and strategy for improving the club. I found these in about 30 seconds:-












https://youtu.be/4Mpf5SwJ2M0?si=ezjYTUVH3hXge3UV
 

Sheffsteel said:
If you had experience you’d find that giving substance just gives fans ammunition to attack.
Also communication also gives ammunition to criticise.

You find with most clubs and most businesses, communication regards important stuff is kept to a minimum.
Name a local club that communicates? There isn’t any.

Regards change of manager. They’ll probably say they weren’t happy about certain aspects of Sheff Utd culture and wanted to make their own stamp.
The support and excess power of any manager is massively worrying, the fact that people support Wilder over Sheff Utd highlights there was a problem.

However it would be unwise to say that….as sone people would twist it and say it was attack against the fans.
Then before you know it you get mass protests about something that’s been mis understood,

Basically they want to take the club forward….not stuck in little Sheffielder Blady Blade mentality.
Also there were loads of fans not wanting the PL last season,,,,if the fans lack ambition then it puts owners off.
Click to expand...
Do you know the owners?
 
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