Yeah what's happened to him?? Seemed like obvious choice at one point.
Also, will know the German league inside out so will be able to get us some unknown gems from there.
And Sancho.
Man Utd set to appoint Director of Football (when hell freezes over)
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
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Also, will know the German league inside out so will be able to get us some unknown gems from there.
And Sancho.
People do the same with every transfer rumour tooPeople acting like this is confirmed
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Overmars came in following Johan Cruijff's "velvet revolution" and was thrown into a competely overhauled structure during one of the most chaotic periods in Ajax history. the structure that was set up then remained tricky ever since, with every year things being changed to the whole structure Cruijff came up with (and has for the most part been completely abandoned as of this season, with Overmars consolidating power). We've literally had 80-page third party reports written (by another ex-player, Tscheu La Ling
) and immediately discarded, lost our head of academy due to the weird, unfireable, powers it gave certain assistants (Bergkamp), and then lost our best coach of the last twenty years (bosz) for the exact same reason (he was promised, on signing, a say in the new fourth assistant when Spijkerman left at the end of his first season, but Bergkamp, through his strange contractual situation was able to block it, despite being assistant manager himself), and then led to Bergkamp and Spijkerman being fired alongside our new coach, which was when Overmars just went feck it, I'm in control from now on, basically.anyway long story, but basically seeing Ajax and 'organisational stability' being mentioned together like that is properly hilarious
also, side note on "what was Overmars' experience before GAE/Ajax" was that he was renowned for having made a lot of money in real estate, starting even during his footballing career. not that that's massively relevant experience, but it is still something.
A few weeks ago one of the journos on Guardian's Football Weekly was discussing the DOF role and said they had recently had a tour of Ajax with a contact at the club. When he got to the office he saw VDS sat at his desk in a suit working away at a computer. He said what struck him was the fact that this clearly isn't just a title for VDS it is a true job.
I think this is the issue with Rio taking any sort of role. He is clearly much more knowledgeable about the game than you would have ever guessed during his playing career. But can you honestly see him sitting in an office and working a job? I'm sure he will enjoy the scouting and the networking with players, but I doubt he will ever take the role as seriously as it demands.
That being said, I have no idea who I would want in the role, but it is a role that is hard to understand compared to a manager or player role.
I think this is the issue with Rio taking any sort of role. He is clearly much more knowledgeable about the game than you would have ever guessed during his playing career. But can you honestly see him sitting in an office and working a job? I'm sure he will enjoy the scouting and the networking with players, but I doubt he will ever take the role as seriously as it demands.
That being said, I have no idea who I would want in the role, but it is a role that is hard to understand compared to a manager or player role.
Rio as DoF?
Seriously, what kind of numpties are managing United..
Seriously, what kind of numpties are managing United..
It's a little bit hazy in my mind but wasn't your board blocked at some point due to an internal "war" between Cruijff and others?Overmars came in following Johan Cruijff's "velvet revolution" and was thrown into a competely overhauled structure during one of the most chaotic periods in Ajax history. the structure that was set up then remained tricky ever since, with every year things being changed to the whole structure Cruijff came up with (and has for the most part been completely abandoned as of this season, with Overmars consolidating power). We've literally had 80-page third party reports written (by another ex-player, Tscheu La Ling
anyway long story, but basically seeing Ajax and 'organisational stability' being mentioned together like that is properly hilarious
also, side note on "what was Overmars' experience before GAE/Ajax" was that he was renowned for having made a lot of money in real estate, starting even during his footballing career. not that that's massively relevant experience, but it is still something.
I've no idea why some people are referring to Rio's experience as a businessman as being a positive for this role - it's neither relevant nor accurate. He's lent his name to some ventures as a minority shareholder and he's thrown his money down the drain backing some failed projects but we've yet to see any evidence he has any skill whatsoever in that arena
I would imagine however it is desirable to have someone in the role that sees it as a huge priority, rather than as one of a large number of work interests
Whether he'd make a good DoF I've no idea but I suspect it's as or more important that United have a clear out of some of those already 'involved' in transfers and have a clear strategy of how the DoF fits in at the club for any candidate, no matter how skilled, to have a chance of success
Otherwise they will just be another figurehead and committee member
I would imagine however it is desirable to have someone in the role that sees it as a huge priority, rather than as one of a large number of work interests
Whether he'd make a good DoF I've no idea but I suspect it's as or more important that United have a clear out of some of those already 'involved' in transfers and have a clear strategy of how the DoF fits in at the club for any candidate, no matter how skilled, to have a chance of success
Otherwise they will just be another figurehead and committee member
Maybe the best signing we could make from Ajax this window would be Overmars...
Rio Ferdinand is my favourite ever footballer. I love the guy and he was my absolute hero growing up, but what the feck is Woodward's criteria here? It isn't rocket science. This isn't hard. You compile a list of existing, experienced DoF's with proven track records and you go from there. The way he's just winging it is a disgrace.
The likes of Ferdinand, Darren Fletcher etc being considered....what the feck I feel the job the club wants isn't the same as what the fans expect.
Like...what is Rio going to input? what can he offer in terms of player recruitment and bringing in players to suit a certain system?
Like...what is Rio going to input? what can he offer in terms of player recruitment and bringing in players to suit a certain system?
Wouldn't Rio be better suited to an ambassador for the club? You could sell me on knows the club, would be helpful in attracting young talent, and just be a big pull for players in general being who he is.
The guy has no management history, no finance background, just no credentials to be a DoF.
Unless I'm missing something and it's something that can be learned on the go? (Very unlikely) for argument sake what did Overmars do before he became Ajax DoF? Or any other ex player that is now in that role.
I don't think it's true, very confident of that but at least a talking point in case it is true.
The guy has no management history, no finance background, just no credentials to be a DoF.
Unless I'm missing something and it's something that can be learned on the go? (Very unlikely) for argument sake what did Overmars do before he became Ajax DoF? Or any other ex player that is now in that role.
I don't think it's true, very confident of that but at least a talking point in case it is true.
Funnily enough I actually think Ferdinand would be good at that role.
I've always thought he'd make a top manager one day as well.
I've always thought he'd make a top manager one day as well.
Knows the club and the United way! Get it done Woody 
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I'd take this. Legacy appointments like this haven't exactly hindered the likes of Bayern and Ajax in the past and I've got a lot of time for not only Rio the player, analyst and entrepreneur but Rio the human being too.
Yeah same here. Actually wouldn't mind him or Fletcher.
“Woodward wants an appointment for the start of next season” - so who’s overseeing the rebuild this Summer?
As a player - one of the best
As an analyst - not bad
What do you think he has done as an entrepreneur that is credit worthy ?
And as a human being - I'll keep my mouth shut..........
Why?
The thing is with those clubs is that their appointments are still very much homegrown: VDS and Overmars, Rumenigge etc. They are from the cities, they have been with the clubs since year dot. I'm not sure Rio and Fletch have that...Fletch maybe.
Who knows? It's all a bit nuts right now!
We need someone with the bollocks to tell the board where investments are needed. I'd back Rio.
I'm ok with this, as long as I don't end up covered in Sports Direct stickers.
I agree. He is not scared to speak his mind and has played at the top level so will know which type of players are needed from an ability and mindset point of view.
He hasn't done anything like this before but at the moment I would take him over nobody and also over someone who doesn't know the club and the fans. He always speaks like a fan and seems to know what we want and expect from our team.
As long as Rio stays away from his pundit mates.
Because that'll be the first step to failure, in my opinion. We need someone strong enough to have control, regardless of what the ex-legends say. This club needs to adapt, it's model is outdated.
Because that'll be the first step to failure, in my opinion. We need someone strong enough to have control, regardless of what the ex-legends say. This club needs to adapt, it's model is outdated.
Its not ideal but both Arsenal and Chelsea are having similar issues finding the right candidate so maybe its a case that we have to proceed with the current model and aim to make improvements from 2020 onwards. Personally I am interested to see ole's approach and hope he is adequately backed.
I wonder if Hodor is in the running at this point
Good thread here. I wouldn't be against Rio joining us in some capacity, but as a DOF? You've got to be kidding me. Ed/Glazers still fumbling around with no clear plan by the looks of it, maybe i'm wrong but i don't see what they are trying to do. They seem to be very reactionary and just don't seem to have the wherewithal to put the proper structures in place like other well run clubs do.Tweet
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Cath the tea lady is currently training him up to be head scout.
Wouldn't that be nice ey. I've lost hope in this DOF search ending sensibly to be honest, god knows what Ed's thinking.
I was referring to how he approached entrepreneurship as a player as opposed to any specific achievements in the field. He went into detail about it during a recent podcast appearance and the general gist of it was not to fall into the trap of "building early" like a lot of young players are doing nowadays, he emphasised that football is what gets players in a position to be able to build and that should be their primary focus otherwise all their projects aren't exactly going to hold much stock anyway. He talked about how he had a management team around him but he specifically instructed them to start exploring a couple of fields he thought he'd be interested in the future but stressed it was something for the future and not something he'd direct any mental energy towards during his playing career. It felt like exactly what the links of Lingard, Pogba and any young player coming through the ranks at United needs to hear.
Please feel free to elaborate. I mean the whole Mike Ashley thing was pretty poor but beyond that I've got nothing but admiration for the guy.
His name is Ed. Bundles about mumbling, "Sponsors... Sponsors? Sponsors. Sponsors!".
Because it's well documented and unsavoury
It's pretty telling that he launched a privacy action (which he lost) when his numerous affairs were made public but didn't even attempt to launch a libel action......
It's not remotely relevant to his ability to make a good DoF of course
Our long term football strategy is being decided by an investment banker.
Surely Rio brings more to the table than that.
DoF really isn’t a hard job for someone who has their head screwed on and know football works.
Surely Rio brings more to the table than that.
DoF really isn’t a hard job for someone who has their head screwed on and know football works.
He can't even remember turning up to his dope test on time let alone be a DOF.
What next? Bringing back Anderson as our fitness coach? The club really is reaching new depths of incompetence.
It's like building the foundations of your new house onto the thin Glazers of the arctic, and hoping the sun doesn't stay out for too long.
How are shareholders allowing this to happen!
It's like building the foundations of your new house onto the thin Glazers of the arctic, and hoping the sun doesn't stay out for too long.
How are shareholders allowing this to happen!
Shareholders? You mean the Glazers? There's your answer
Shambles.
It seems from the outside looking in that Ed Woodward just doesn't want someone who will come in and actually see the mess we are in.
It seems from the outside looking in that Ed Woodward just doesn't want someone who will come in and actually see the mess we are in.
Wouldn't dream of it... you're the man.
That's always a strange point to make, particularly when you consider the fact that he has spent more time in football and that someone like Berta was an investment banker.
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