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Manchester United name John Murtough as Football Director and Darren Fletcher as Technical Director
- Thread starter Tom Van Persie
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss United's last 3 games - two much-needed wins vs. Burnley in the Premier League and Palace in the League Cup, as well as a the 4-3 loss away at Bayern. They discuss the defence, new options in midfield with Hannibal and Amrabat now in contention and look forward to games vs. Palace (again!) and Galatasary.
Who’s Murtough? Is he now in charge of overseeing all recruitment? A proper DOF?
What does it mean? What does it all mean?!
4 threads created 
*Frantically googles John Murtough*
*Underwhelming disappointment floods the body*
*Underwhelming disappointment floods the body*
Murtough is an internal promotion, he used to chief scout IIRC
Yes.
The DOF role at Man Utd has been split into two: (From the link above)
John will have overall leadership and responsibility for operations and strategy across all football functions, reinforcing the strong foundations already in place. This appointment builds on the work John has already undertaken in recent years, working closely with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the rest of the football staff to create the structures, processes and culture to deliver sustained success on the pitch. This has included successful overhauls of the club’s Academy and recruitment department.
Darren will work closely with John to add technical input and direction into all football and performance areas. He will focus on a co-ordinated and long-term approach to player and squad development, helping maintain the integral link between the Academy and the first team, aligned with Manchester United’s values and culture.
As Football Director, John will work day-to-day with Ole to align recruitment and other strategies and to ensure that the first team has the best-in-class operational support it needs to succeed.
Murtough after 1 month of trying to sort our team out: "I'm too old for this shit."
Well Matt Judge is now Director of Football Negotiations and he will be reporting to Murtough, so presumably yes?
The United app has all the full details on what each one will do. Ill see if i can post it.
Edit: What @UnitedSofa said
Edit: What @UnitedSofa said
United have appointed football directors? Looking outside now to see if hell froze over!
Don’t know what to think of the appointments, they are obviously not the experienced names we wanted but will give them the chance and hope they know what they’re doing.
Don’t know what to think of the appointments, they are obviously not the experienced names we wanted but will give them the chance and hope they know what they’re doing.
John Murtaugh, not Richard Murtaugh.
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Well, at least the position has been created. Which means if he doesn’t do the job well then we can bring someone else
Too early to say if its a good or a bad thing. It certainly is anti-climatic given the clamour for a world class director of football 
Fletcher as technical director?
Murtough is very experienced and has been dealing with club transfers for a long time now......
Wow...
What is fletchers role?
The cynic in me can't helpt but think there's something in Woodward appointing a football director, as opposed to a director of football.
I blame the Athletic.
Not recruitment that's Murtough's role
Darren will work closely with John to add technical input and direction into all football and performance areas. He will focus on a co-ordinated and long-term approach to player and squad development, helping maintain the integral link between the Academy and the first team, aligned with Manchester United’s values and culture.
Seems like he's done the job in truth since 2014. And he's clearly done a decent job - our recruitment record is much better. So hopefully it will continue in that vein.Too early to say if its a good or a bad thing. It certainly is anti-climatic given the clamour for a world class director of football
Edit: this, presumably, is just to allow him to get more info the public eye and deflect criticism of our processes which are clearly more robust than "Ed Woodward is God and decides everything"! (And I love Ed, so I'm definitely in the tiny minority there ha ha)
First we have the position created and the next step is to bin this guy off for someone better. This is great progress people.
So we shouldn't expect any improvements
That’s good to hear and am excited to see what Darren can do too. Strange that he has jumped from coach to this so shortly, don’t know if he will do both.
Saw this line in an article I read. That’s good enough for me. Apparently Murtough scouted Mejbri.
"Murtough, who joined United in January 2014, is being promoted from his current role as head of football development and he will have overall responsibility for all football matters. "
Woodward's way of saying "I'm not to blame, this guy is.".
Woodward's way of saying "I'm not to blame, this guy is.".
This forum man. Even when we get what we want we aren't happy.
The guys been around since 2014 and we want "someone better" aka, someone we've heard of.
Lord give me strength
I suppose the plus to hiring people who have already been at the club and working with the manager is that there should be a smoother transition into this new structure.
Hopefully having this guy oversee the performance of our head of negotiations will improve things in that regard too.
Hopefully having this guy oversee the performance of our head of negotiations will improve things in that regard too.
He sounds like a 90's action movie hero cop. I'd watch a franchise based on Murtough's revenge.
Am i in a bad dream or something? The guy was doing podcasts at the start of the season and he's now being given a role that we've been asking to transform the club. Do woodward and the glazers even take this club seriously?
Looks the same to me
Has anyone said “yes men” yet?
Manchester United have finally appointed their first-ever football director, with John Murtough taking the reins at Old Trafford
Murtough becomes the first official occupant of such a role at United after being promoted from his previous position as the club's head of football development.
But who is the man tasked with overseeing operations and strategy across all football functions at the club?
MEN Sport takes a look at a man you might not know...
His history
Murtough joined United in November 2013, having worked with David Moyes at Everton, and became the club's head of football development in 2016.
Prior to that that he was head of elite performance at the Premier League, following senior academy and player development roles at other clubs.
The Manchester Evening News understands Murtough introduced himself as United's 'director of football' when he oversaw the recruitment of the women's team in 2018.
The Liverpudlian was involved in United's overhaul of the academy and recruitment department and even chaperoned teenager Hannibal Mejbri at United's 2019 friendly with Kristiansund in Norway.
What does his new role mean?
Murtough has been promoted to the role of football director with Darren Fletcher being made technical director - two new roles which are hoped will strengthen the club’s football operations.
The football director will have overall leadership and responsibility for operations and strategy across all football functions and Murtough will work closely with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the rest of the football staff to create the structures, processes and culture to deliver sustained success on the pitch.
He will work day-to-day with Solskjaer to align recruitment and other strategies and to ensure that the first team has the best-in-class operational support it needs to succeed.
Solskjaer will continue his role in the recruitment process, supported by extensive scouting and data analytics functions that will continue to report to Murtough. Matt Judge will also report to the football director, with a new title of Director of Football Negotiations.
What has Murtough said about the role?
“This is such an exciting time for everyone at Manchester United with the first team, academy and women’s team all performing strongly, and plenty of development still to come. It’s a privilege to be part of that process, and an honour to lead Manchester United’s football department, working alongside Ole, Casey [Stoney] and so many other truly outstanding staff all dedicated to delivering success to this club.”
“These are hugely important appointments that reinforce the progress we have been making as a club in recent years in our relentless pursuit of success.
“We have already made great strides forward in the way we run our football operations, and the benefits are visible in the resurgent pipeline of academy talent reaching the first team and through our improved recruitment record. John has been integral to our progress in these areas and his deep understanding of development ensures the club’s traditions of bringing young players through from academy to first team will continue. This new position is a natural evolution that harnesses his leadership qualities and his years of experience in the game.
“I am delighted that John and Darren have accepted these roles and I look forward to the contribution they will make, together with Ole and the rest of the staff, as we build toward future success.”
Murtough becomes the first official occupant of such a role at United after being promoted from his previous position as the club's head of football development.
But who is the man tasked with overseeing operations and strategy across all football functions at the club?
MEN Sport takes a look at a man you might not know...
His history
Murtough joined United in November 2013, having worked with David Moyes at Everton, and became the club's head of football development in 2016.
Prior to that that he was head of elite performance at the Premier League, following senior academy and player development roles at other clubs.
The Manchester Evening News understands Murtough introduced himself as United's 'director of football' when he oversaw the recruitment of the women's team in 2018.
The Liverpudlian was involved in United's overhaul of the academy and recruitment department and even chaperoned teenager Hannibal Mejbri at United's 2019 friendly with Kristiansund in Norway.
What does his new role mean?
Murtough has been promoted to the role of football director with Darren Fletcher being made technical director - two new roles which are hoped will strengthen the club’s football operations.
The football director will have overall leadership and responsibility for operations and strategy across all football functions and Murtough will work closely with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the rest of the football staff to create the structures, processes and culture to deliver sustained success on the pitch.
He will work day-to-day with Solskjaer to align recruitment and other strategies and to ensure that the first team has the best-in-class operational support it needs to succeed.
Solskjaer will continue his role in the recruitment process, supported by extensive scouting and data analytics functions that will continue to report to Murtough. Matt Judge will also report to the football director, with a new title of Director of Football Negotiations.
What has Murtough said about the role?
“This is such an exciting time for everyone at Manchester United with the first team, academy and women’s team all performing strongly, and plenty of development still to come. It’s a privilege to be part of that process, and an honour to lead Manchester United’s football department, working alongside Ole, Casey [Stoney] and so many other truly outstanding staff all dedicated to delivering success to this club.”
“These are hugely important appointments that reinforce the progress we have been making as a club in recent years in our relentless pursuit of success.
“We have already made great strides forward in the way we run our football operations, and the benefits are visible in the resurgent pipeline of academy talent reaching the first team and through our improved recruitment record. John has been integral to our progress in these areas and his deep understanding of development ensures the club’s traditions of bringing young players through from academy to first team will continue. This new position is a natural evolution that harnesses his leadership qualities and his years of experience in the game.
“I am delighted that John and Darren have accepted these roles and I look forward to the contribution they will make, together with Ole and the rest of the staff, as we build toward future success.”
For me personally I wouldn't even give him a wage as its obvious to everyone he's just a placeholder.
Apparently, Murtough is a scouser...
created another management layer to shield themselves from criticism. well done Ed!
Don't think so but seen the 'Old Boys Club' line.