What ten Hag is saying below is exactly why we've squandered so much money post Fergie. And my posts over the years have alluded to the same, where I've mentioned (numerous times) that the decision makers at the top of the chain weren't on the same page when it came to making football/recruitment decisions.
The managers post Fergie, would sign players without the input of the heads of scouting, which has been reported on by Journalists like Daniel Taylor.
That's why it's important to have a DoF, who selects the head coach of his choosing, and puts in place his own team of head scouts/data science head, which will align the whole process where everyone is on the same page. It's a simple process that was complicated by Woodward and the managers he hired post LVG.
The DoF role is a simple role, and hence why you see the biggest and most successful clubs hire from within, due to the process being simple.