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

Status
Not open for further replies.

12OunceEpilogue

In perfect harmony
Scout
Joined
Oct 2, 2016
Messages
18,392
Location
Wigan
People derided him as a player and he proved them wrong. We didn't call him 'Darren Fletcher, Football Genius' for nothing.

It sound very odd and more than a tad desperate, but I wish him all the best if he is getting some kind of role next year.
 

2cents

Historiographer, and obtainer of rare antiquities
Scout
Joined
Mar 19, 2008
Messages
16,174
The main things I’ve learned from this thread:

Paul Mitchell is not, and never has been, a Director of Football.

Edwin van der Sar is not, and never has been, a Director of Football.

We are not, and maybe never were, looking to hire a Director of Football.
 

NJM78

New Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2014
Messages
6,345
Location
Cardiff
It has all the appearance of an absolute clusterfeck. Without knowing what the role actually involves, we can’t possibly determine if Fletcher might be the right guy. Certainly for the type of role that I envisioned when speculation about a DoF first surfaced, he seems to lack any qualifications or experience whatsoever.
My thoughts exactly, at the very least if going down an ex player route at least pick a legend that modern players with knowledge of the game and past would actually recognize and respect. Fletcher for all his heart and passion was a bit average and hardly a global name. Maybe I have no idea of what the role entails either but surely Darren Fletcher has none of the required tools. Maybe he was good mates with Ole way back and that is enough, the rest he can learn day to day!?
I’m just so confused with the direction we are heading.
 

settembrini

Full Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Messages
3,283
I'm guessing, but I would imagine Ole and Fletch discuss who they would like to sign, and then Fletch (not Ole), go to Ed and asks if it's possible please, then Ed goes to the Glazers and asks them if they'll pay up, what could possible go wrong..
1. Solskjaer tells Fletcher he wants young and hard working players like Wan-Bissaka and Rice.
2. Fletcher relays that to Woodward.
3. Woodward tells Fletcher that United is like Disneyland and they should buy star attractions like Bale and Dybala.
4. Fletcher relays that to Solskjaer.
5. ??? Don't know but it will probably involve lots of articles about United being in disarray and people in the transfer forum getting angry. Maybe some sort of compromise where we sign two Solskjaer players and two Woodward players.
 

Random Task

WW Lynchpin
Joined
Feb 7, 2010
Messages
34,503
Location
Chester
1. Solskjaer tells Fletcher he wants young and hard working players like Wan-Bissaka and Rice.
2. Fletcher relays that to Woodward.
3. Woodward tells Fletcher that United is like Disneyland and they should buy star attractions like Bale and Dybala.
4. Fletcher relays that to Solskjaer.
5. ??? Don't know but it will probably involve lots of articles about United being in disarray and people in the transfer forum getting angry. Maybe some sort of compromise where we sign two Solskjaer players and two Woodward players.
You are describing the day-to-day activities of messenger boy.

They are going to make Fletcher a fecking messenger boy!
 

McGrathsipan

Dawn’s less famous husband
Joined
Jun 25, 2009
Messages
24,581
Location
Dublin
Manchester United should be trying to get the best person for the job. The best name in the business. I dont know who that is but they should do whatever it takes and pay however much is needed to the person.

It's not Darren Fletcher.
Zero experience.
 

reddevil702

Full Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2016
Messages
1,190
United are not in a position to experiment or give opportunities to unqualified candidates for such important roles. I would understand appointments like this if the club were coming off a successful season and with competent senior leadership already in place to mold a potential replacement. We're suppose to trust Ed, Fletch and Ole to fix the mess we are in? Based on what exactly? The most experienced of the 3 is an expert in failure when it comes to results on the pitch and well Ole isn't too far behind. This whole "knowing the club" thing is being blown way out of proportion and seems to be taking a front seat to actual experience, proven success and football business intelligence. We're obviously committed to Ole for the next year at the minimum, so why not surround him with the best candidate at every other position and try to put Ole in a position to succeed? This rebuild is too big for one person and instead of putting together a group of experienced football execs, we want to go with the feel good story of ex-players who understand the club but may turn out to be just as clueless as Ed.
 

Sparky Rhiwabon

New Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2013
Messages
16,946
Manchester United should be trying to get the best person for the job. The best name in the business. I dont know who that is but they should do whatever it takes and pay however much is needed to the person.

It's not Darren Fletcher.
Zero experience.
Surely Van der Sar would be a good place to start. He’s even got the United background
 

Offside

Euro 2016 sweepstake winner
Joined
Jun 9, 2012
Messages
26,630
Location
London
I’m sure in 5 years time we will look back (with our CL and PL trophy) at this with a turning point.
 

Champagne Football

New Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2015
Messages
4,187
Location
El Beatle
Imagine going into an interview with that?
If it had to be an ex player it should have been Rio. Hopefully Fletch surprises me if this rumour is true.
I don't think anyone would be more qualified to discover the new Scholes, Giggs, and Keane having played next to them for so long.
 

WensleyMU

New Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2018
Messages
1,664
I imagine the board just shuffles a deck of '2008 Manchester United playing cards' and picks card.

Whoever is on that card is this week's prime candidate.
 

NJM78

New Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2014
Messages
6,345
Location
Cardiff
Does anyone know if Darren’s middle name is Owen and the club thought his initials alone were a good enough reason to give him the role.
 

ArjenIsM3

Full Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2015
Messages
5,633
Location
Netherlands
Wish they gave the job to Paul Mitchel,a guy I know literally nothing about.He would've been perfect.
He's by far the best candidate. Dream appointment really. Former head of recruitment for MK Dons, Southampton, Spurs and now RB Leipzig. 10 years worth of experience in the role and he's had nothing but success.
 

Adnan

Talent Spotter
Joined
Oct 5, 2013
Messages
29,865
Location
England
Anyone know anything about Dan Ashworth?
Was employed by the FA as part of the England setup and was very highly thought of. Below is a excerpt from the Guardian article below

Dan Ashworth, the man credited with playing a key part in reviving the Englandset-up at junior and senior levels, has resigned as technical director at the Football Association to join Brighton.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/sep/25/dan-ashworth-fa-technical-director-brighton-talks
 

2cents

Historiographer, and obtainer of rare antiquities
Scout
Joined
Mar 19, 2008
Messages
16,174
He's by far the best candidate. Dream appointment really. Former head of recruitment for MK Dons, Southampton, Spurs and now RB Leipzig. 10 years worth of experience in the role and he's had nothing but success.
Apparently this role isn’t about recruitment, it’s about “glue” between the manager and board.
 

NFM

Full Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2015
Messages
339
Give it a rest! The DoF at Liverpool was not a 'name', promoted from within and look what has happened there. As long as Fletch ( or whoever), Ole and the Senior Scouts can work as a team the job will get done well. Someone remarked that the reason it works at 'Pool is because Klopp doesn't have an ego that gets in the way. I would think the same applies to Ole.
 

2cents

Historiographer, and obtainer of rare antiquities
Scout
Joined
Mar 19, 2008
Messages
16,174
Give it a rest! The DoF at Liverpool was not a 'name', promoted from within and look what has happened there. As long as Fletch ( or whoever), Ole and the Senior Scouts can work as a team the job will get done well. Someone remarked that the reason it works at 'Pool is because Klopp doesn't have an ego that gets in the way. I would think the same applies to Ole.
According to all reports we’re not hiring a DoF.
 

Adnan

Talent Spotter
Joined
Oct 5, 2013
Messages
29,865
Location
England
Dan Ashworth is a better candidate than Paul Mitchell if you see how he played a key part in England u17s and u20s winning the world cup.

The clubs Mitchell has been at have won zero silverware.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.