I hope it's Paul Mitchell
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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Like what he is saying tbh.
I’d be extremely happy if we have two DoF figures in that one is almost a general manager like role you see at the likes of Bayern who probably works the closest with the manager of the first team, and the other being a Head of Recruitment who’s the transfer specialist for the first team and works with the scouting teams and the academy to determine whether we should buy someone or promote an academy product.
Cantona?
Woodward's hit that stride now where literally every single decision is the shittest, dullest, most uninspiring it could be...
It's almost got a dreamlike quality to it.
I wonder who the 'transfer help' will be...?
Phil Neville's already employed so that rules him out... hmm maybe that Jimmy fella that Moyes brought in?
Kinda like a double act, Phelan and Jimmy.
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Phelan as a DOF. 
Laughable stuff.
This club is doomed as long as Woodward is its CEO.
Laughable stuff.
This club is doomed as long as Woodward is its CEO.
Mirror saying it'll be Scholes so it's safe to say it's guess work from all of them
What I would say is this fabled DOF is someone to bridge the gap between the manager and the boardroom correct? And ensuring the long term vision of the club is unchanged despite who the head coach is yes? If that is the case then anyone brought into that role initially is just as much a risk as whomever is brought into the dugout so at least with it being Phelan we know he knows the ethos of the club and if someone extra is being brought in to help broker transfers (which I assume Phelan has no experience in doing) than it could be the right move even if he isn't a hipster name like Mitchell
What I'll also say is reading people's wish list of who they want in this DOF role is even more cringeworthy than when people talk about transfer targets, you can guarantee the majority of transfer targets people suggest they haven't seen enough of themselves to really form an accurate argument as to why they should be targets and so when suggesting back room staff you can take that lack of knowledge and multiply it by 10
What I would say is this fabled DOF is someone to bridge the gap between the manager and the boardroom correct? And ensuring the long term vision of the club is unchanged despite who the head coach is yes? If that is the case then anyone brought into that role initially is just as much a risk as whomever is brought into the dugout so at least with it being Phelan we know he knows the ethos of the club and if someone extra is being brought in to help broker transfers (which I assume Phelan has no experience in doing) than it could be the right move even if he isn't a hipster name like Mitchell
What I'll also say is reading people's wish list of who they want in this DOF role is even more cringeworthy than when people talk about transfer targets, you can guarantee the majority of transfer targets people suggest they haven't seen enough of themselves to really form an accurate argument as to why they should be targets and so when suggesting back room staff you can take that lack of knowledge and multiply it by 10
Can you post the Mirror link?
Just saw it on Sky's morning paper review so assume it'll be in tomorrow's papers
Honestly at this point I don't even care whoever it is as long as he is not a banker or something like that. We just desperately need someone who understands football and I am pretty sure Phelan does. What is worrying me though is that we are trying to bring everyone back from SAF era and just hope it works. I can bet Maulensteen will join as assistant manager if Phelan is appointed as DoF and this someone who will work on transfers is some former player. We will constantly hear interviews about the old days, United way, how it was done when SAF was in charge etc etc. and we will remain stuck in the past like we are now. That's one of the most worrying things I have about Ole as well because he doesn't seem to have his own ideas, he just tries to copy SAF and it will never ever work.
Intensive months work of searching.
This post sums you up
I don't get why people are so against Phelan as DOF. Who had heard about Mitchell, Paratici or Monchi before they were given the chance? The most important thing, besides getting a DOF, is what function and what freedom in which they will get to operate. Fletcher gives me the impression of someone who could do a good job as well. I especially like what he said in that interview, United has always had the most success giving youth a chance (Class of 92 etc) and buying those who are not established superstars (Vidic, Evra etc).
Now now, you all won't be laughing if Phelan will do a surprisingly good job as DOF. 
Priority is here is to get a DOF first.
Whether he do a good job or bad job comes afterwards.
bad job -- simply replace him.
Give it a chance, why so early making judgment/prediction.
Priority is here is to get a DOF first.
Whether he do a good job or bad job comes afterwards.
bad job -- simply replace him.
Give it a chance, why so early making judgment/prediction.
No way will it be Scholes. He's been extremely critical of Woodward.
Thank you!
Ambitious about the club's need to become a progressive footballing institution, realistic rather than following daft idealism - and with a sense of humour...
I'll give you the sense if humour partThank you!
Ambitious about the club's need to become a progressive footballing institution, realistic rather than following daft idealism - and with a sense of humour...
Every time the bolded part is said on the caf, God reaches for the flood button.
The Mirror was quoting the Metro, so safe to say the story is utter bs.
https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/27/paul...for-role-in-manchester-united-revamp-9317008/
Those in charge reminds me of my dad, he applies similar methods, auto mechanics - priority has the closest to his house, regardless of work quality, knowledge etc. He needs something done in basement, no problem, first person to offer a job was a guy 2 streets from him who is drunk almost 24/7.
I'll be happy if a football DoF + a negotiator who knows the landscape comes in to take over Ed's bumbling. If that's Phelan + someone else, that's an upgrade in my book.
Another terrible move by Woodward.
Shocker.
He really has no clue what he's doing.
Is Woodward deliberately trying to get the fans to hate him more and make United a laughing stock . So basically Mike Phelan is going to sweet talk his way to such an important position because he scared Woodward that if he doesn't make him DOF then he will go off to an Australian league team and become their DOF . Seriously you can't make this shit up . There are so many options available and Woodward goes for the most uninspiring one.
Fans are too impatient for such an approach. Anyway It has to be a squad with a balance of youth and experience. In the good old days we always had experienced keepers and centre half’s opting for youth down the wings and in full back positions. DM needs an experienced head but strikers just need to be strikers regardless of age
It’s still just a rumour at this point. Anyone with serious sources confirmed it?
I’m not sure Phelan, Scholes or whoever comes in will be the right choice but what I do know is that getting Woodward out of the footballing side of things needs to happen, again whether Woodward will actually allow this to happen is another thing entirely.
The argument is that Phelan is just another patsy for Woodward and does he have the experience or knowledge of such a role?whatever that entails.
My worry is that Woodward has been crapping on about this appointment for quite some time now and suddenly he decides the man he wants is Phelan? Which to me feels like he’s just winging it at as per usual but I hope I’m wrong and that it’s an inspired decision and this is the start of our recovery to get back to being a competitive and well run club.
I’m not holding breath.
The argument is that Phelan is just another patsy for Woodward and does he have the experience or knowledge of such a role?whatever that entails.
My worry is that Woodward has been crapping on about this appointment for quite some time now and suddenly he decides the man he wants is Phelan? Which to me feels like he’s just winging it at as per usual but I hope I’m wrong and that it’s an inspired decision and this is the start of our recovery to get back to being a competitive and well run club.
I’m not holding breath.
Getting a DoF will not be a panacea to all our problems. Liverpool, Spurs and City aren’t where they are because they had a DoF who made great signings.
City bought well in the beginning of the Arab money for sure but the guys they got weren’t hidden gems, getting Aguero, Silva, Toure and Kompany, those guys were some of the best around in their positions playing at big European clubs bar Kompany. Since then they have made way more poor signings than good signings until Pep came in. Since Pep they could sign good players because of Peps reputation not because of a DoF.
Liverpool likewise were doing pretty bad until Klopp came in but even he didn’t sign anyone major. He signed players most top teams would pass on and improved them to the level of top players. Guys like Mane, Salah, Firmino are all players we could have signed but said no to, a DoF isn’t going to see it any different because those guys weren’t worthy of signing at the time unless you believe they fit into a system and that you can improve them, which again is down to the manager.
Spurs are the best example of all of this, they’ve barely recruited anyone under Poch who instead focused on selling players who didn’t fit his vision and improving the guys he has and bringing through youth. 2 summers where they only signed a couple of defenders yet they are in a champions league semi final.
You can’t just get someone who can negotiate transfers better and expect that to solve all your problems. It means nothing unless you have a proper vision and system that will suit players you bring in. How many DoFs have actually come into a club and made a huge difference? I think people are expecting too much from a DoF
City bought well in the beginning of the Arab money for sure but the guys they got weren’t hidden gems, getting Aguero, Silva, Toure and Kompany, those guys were some of the best around in their positions playing at big European clubs bar Kompany. Since then they have made way more poor signings than good signings until Pep came in. Since Pep they could sign good players because of Peps reputation not because of a DoF.
Liverpool likewise were doing pretty bad until Klopp came in but even he didn’t sign anyone major. He signed players most top teams would pass on and improved them to the level of top players. Guys like Mane, Salah, Firmino are all players we could have signed but said no to, a DoF isn’t going to see it any different because those guys weren’t worthy of signing at the time unless you believe they fit into a system and that you can improve them, which again is down to the manager.
Spurs are the best example of all of this, they’ve barely recruited anyone under Poch who instead focused on selling players who didn’t fit his vision and improving the guys he has and bringing through youth. 2 summers where they only signed a couple of defenders yet they are in a champions league semi final.
You can’t just get someone who can negotiate transfers better and expect that to solve all your problems. It means nothing unless you have a proper vision and system that will suit players you bring in. How many DoFs have actually come into a club and made a huge difference? I think people are expecting too much from a DoF
Let's hope the Phelan stuff is a fake leak from the club to test the waters among fans. We need to get an experienced guy for this role, someone who's done it before and knows their way around. The romanticism and Fergie-fetishising needs to stop.
I wonder if Darren Fletcher might get involved? He's a sensible guy. The Mirror getting messy about Scholes being a DOF. That would be the ultimate disaster.
Don't think there is any chance at all Scholes will be offered any job at United while Ed is in charge. Scholes is very critical of Ed and the board, surely Ed knows it.
I thought this had been rumoured for a while now, so shouldn't come as a surprise. There was a story recently which said we'd turned down the better known DoFs that had enquired about the job.
If Phelan is appointed, it will change feck all. I get the feeling Woodward wants to hog all the power and the talk of a DoF is simply an eyewash.
I think it would be more hanging around the coaching team. Though Ole needs experienced people there. Can't be depending on Scholes or Carrick when they are in the learning stages.
Scholes would probably be better if he had a set task like working with the midfield players at Under 23s 18s. Not managing as he hasn't got the temperament.
That I would let him do as he's been floundering and clearly misses the club. Unlike Neville, I feel he does care deeply for the club, but he's just awkward when it comes to how he presents himself on tv.
I think its not just a case of knowing the United way or how you think things should be done. It's also being able to execute the vision, and this is where we are in the dark about Phelan. Also, how open minded is he? If he just uses the SAF model we are not going anywhere because only SAF could make that work.
The thing thats scary is fans on here moan if we boo at matches.
Problem is, Ed gets away with so much, you never really see much anger towards him, even in the papers, so how else does the message get across.
I just don't know how a bunch of rich business men can't see that things just aren't working, and it doesn't stop with the manager
I actually havent got much of a problem with it being Phelan.
If he gets someone to help with transfers.
He knows the DNA of the club. He knows about Youth policys and what it means to play for United. I know he doesn't have much experience but none of the DOFs on the shortlist did until they jumped in. Didn't he have a similar role in Australia?
Okay. Its a big club to learn in but he could do a good job. The first and most important aspect of the DOF role at United should be to know the DNA of the club.
If he gets someone to help with transfers.
He knows the DNA of the club. He knows about Youth policys and what it means to play for United. I know he doesn't have much experience but none of the DOFs on the shortlist did until they jumped in. Didn't he have a similar role in Australia?
Okay. Its a big club to learn in but he could do a good job. The first and most important aspect of the DOF role at United should be to know the DNA of the club.
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You lot might want to wait a bit for any decent sources before losing your minds over an article from The Sun.
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