Most of the discussions at the moment seem to be about whether Poch or Levy are at fault for our poor form. Could one of the main problems lie in the fact that we operate without a Sporting Director?
As a club we have taken giant strides forward in the last 5/6 years. Moving into world class training facilities and stadium, becoming a regular Champions League team. Expectation levels have gone from Europa League & League Cup hopes to Premier League & Champions League hopes! Our turnover is now amongst the top 10 clubs in Europe. Is now the time to review, regroup and refocus how this club operates and can progress?
Clubs like Athletico Madrid (Berta - sporting director), Leipzig (Rangnick - sporting director) show how a clear vision & plan can be implemented with the right structure in place. Athletico under a long-term manager have sold key players, reinvested & refreshed their squad while maintaining their competiveness. Leipzig have changed coaches & players while also maintaining their competiveness.
In 2003 Levy & the board employed Frank Arnesen to oversee a complete rebuild of the club, from scouting, youth team to first team. Frank jumped ship quickly but a clear plan & DNA for the club was implemented.
Previously all promising youth players were sent out on loan (Kane, Walker, Rose, Mason, Huddlestone, Caulker etc.), all of whom progressed not only to the first team but achieved international recognition. Poch has limited this approach with very little success. Why is it allowed to persist?
We failed to refresh our squad over several transfer windows. A sporting director's role is to ensure there is a clear vision through out the club, from scouting youth players through to first team recruitment.
Levy is a genius at generating funds & maximising profits. Poch has shown he is a world class coach. John McDermott has done a fantastic job over the past 15 years with our underage teams. We have nearly all the elements to be a very successful club. Are we just lacking a top class Sporting Director???
As a club we have taken giant strides forward in the last 5/6 years. Moving into world class training facilities and stadium, becoming a regular Champions League team. Expectation levels have gone from Europa League & League Cup hopes to Premier League & Champions League hopes! Our turnover is now amongst the top 10 clubs in Europe. Is now the time to review, regroup and refocus how this club operates and can progress?
Clubs like Athletico Madrid (Berta - sporting director), Leipzig (Rangnick - sporting director) show how a clear vision & plan can be implemented with the right structure in place. Athletico under a long-term manager have sold key players, reinvested & refreshed their squad while maintaining their competiveness. Leipzig have changed coaches & players while also maintaining their competiveness.
In 2003 Levy & the board employed Frank Arnesen to oversee a complete rebuild of the club, from scouting, youth team to first team. Frank jumped ship quickly but a clear plan & DNA for the club was implemented.
Previously all promising youth players were sent out on loan (Kane, Walker, Rose, Mason, Huddlestone, Caulker etc.), all of whom progressed not only to the first team but achieved international recognition. Poch has limited this approach with very little success. Why is it allowed to persist?
We failed to refresh our squad over several transfer windows. A sporting director's role is to ensure there is a clear vision through out the club, from scouting youth players through to first team recruitment.
Levy is a genius at generating funds & maximising profits. Poch has shown he is a world class coach. John McDermott has done a fantastic job over the past 15 years with our underage teams. We have nearly all the elements to be a very successful club. Are we just lacking a top class Sporting Director???