Manchester United name John Murtough as Football Director and Darren Fletcher as Technical Director

[Yakuza_devils]

Wow...still can't believe that we are finally trying to get real football people in. Its unbelievable that we are now link with people like Mitchel, Maldini, Freedman, Edward and etc.

I think the final step in the process will be the manager. As it stands now, we are nowhere good enough and no proper style of play. We need to modernize everything in the club.

 

[The Mitcher]

I think Fletcher's job is safe. However I won't be surprised if Maldini is brought in as technical director.

A- INEOS seems to go for the very best (Blanc as CEO, Mitchell as DOF etc. There aren't many technical directors who did as well in their job as Maldini did with Milan. He was a key member in their Serie A winner campaign and when he was sacked the Milan fans were at arms

B- Maldini is a football icon. Schmeichel called him football royalty and you can see the likes of Schmeichel, Henry, Carra and Richards acting like 12 year old teenagers at his presence. That's an aura that very few players have.

C- Maldini knows what winning is all about. The guy won 26 trophies including 5 CL titles.

D- His experience is amazing. A son of a top player and a decent manager himself. Maldini was literally raised in football. He was a top talent into a world class academy, he played in one of the earliest Galactico type teams (in my opinion it was better then Pep's Barca), he saw Milan's transition into a cash strapped one who kept punching above its weight and when he returned to AC Milan as technical director they won the Serie A title despite being cashed strapped.

E- Maldini is vocal and will challenge the system. Berlusconi kept him out for that reason and it was one of the reasons why Cardinale wants him out. Ineos seem to love people with character who think out of the box (Brailsford, Mitchell etc)

F-Maldini seem to have had a more senior role then the one covered by Fletcher. He was more involved in transfers for example

G- United look set to have a very British football setup with Mitchell, Freedman and possibly SAF acting as advisor. Now Mitchell brings to the table his contacts from the German league + EPL league, Ineos and Blanc has great contacts in France while SAF is the don in the UK. Maldini on the other hand brings a huge wealth of knowledge and contacts in the Serie A and beyond. Every one idolize this guy from Puyol to Pep right to Ibra, Henry etc.

Personally I wouldn't want Maldini as our DOF. He's not experienced enough for the role. However as said as a technical director he would be mint

Silly as this may sound, but I never knew Maldini spoke English!

 

[croadyman]

Wow...still can't believe that we are finally trying to get real football people in. Its unbelievable that we are now link with people like Mitchel, Maldini, Freedman, Edward and etc.

I think the final step in the process will be the manager. As it stands now, we are nowhere good enough and no proper style of play. We need to modernize everything in the club.

Yeah think you are spot on

 

[Tyrion]

Are we looking for Technical Director and a DOF though is the big question

Apparently Ratcliffe did say our transfer business has been awful and criticised the signing of Casemiro. That happened while Murtaugh was DOF and Arnold is already leaving. I wouldn't be surprised if Murtaugh followed him so Ratcliffe could appoint his own guy.

 

[croadyman]

Apparently Ratcliffe did say our transfer business has been awful and criticised the signing of Casemiro. That happened while Murtaugh was DOF and Arnold is already leaving. I wouldn't be surprised if Murtaugh followed him so Ratcliffe could appoint his own guy.

Ideally we do make two appointments,just hasn't been any noise about that happening yet

 

[NewGlory]

Both Murtough and Fletcher were completely inadequate for their respective positions. They were unqualified to serve these roles in any EPL club, let alone Man United. Pinnacle of incompetence and nepotism.

It will certainly be a welcome change to see qualified person, such as Mitchell replace Murtough. Not sure we need Fletcher's role backfilled right away, but if we do, it should be by somebody that new regime of Mitchell and Blanc bring, not somebody like Fletcher.

 

[Sunny Jim]

Both Murtough and Fletcher were completely inadequate for their respective positions. They were unqualified to serve these roles in any EPL club, let alone Man United. Pinnacle of incompetence and nepotism.

It will certainly be a welcome change to see qualified person, such as Mitchell replace Murtough. Not sure we need Fletcher's role backfilled right away, but if we do, it should be by somebody that new regime of Mitchell and Blanc bring, not somebody like Fletcher.

i get the Murthough hate, but Fletcher? Isn’t he meant to facilitate transition from the academy to first Team? Something he has done himself?

 

[golden_blunder]

Both Murtough and Fletcher were completely inadequate for their respective positions. They were unqualified to serve these roles in any EPL club, let alone Man United. Pinnacle of incompetence and nepotism.

It will certainly be a welcome change to see qualified person, such as Mitchell replace Murtough. Not sure we need Fletcher's role backfilled right away, but if we do, it should be by somebody that new regime of Mitchell and Blanc bring, not somebody like Fletcher.

And what does Fletcher do that Mitchell and Blanc will bring?

 

[Zed is not dead]

i get the Murthough hate, but Fletcher? Isn’t he meant to facilitate transition from the academy to first Team? Something he has done himself?

People are mostly in fan fiction at this stage.
People have absolutely no clue what a director’s job is in general, let alone in the football industry, despite the many many many posts made by @Adnan to explain these guys’ roles in the club. Seeing posts suggesting Murtough to stay as Head of Recruitment only proves they don’t know what they’re talking about.

People are creaming over Maldini for instance, but he was too unqualified to be a DOF at Milan before he became DOF.

Almost all the clubs in Europe hire ex-players in some capacities but either people fail to be informed about that or just refuse to accept it so they can shite a little bit more about the club.

Look at what McKenna and Carrick are doing now after they were called PE teachers here.

 

[Tom Van Persie]

 

[TrueRed79]

Another step in the right direction. Only thing we can whinge about so far is that the Glazers are still around. Other than that it has been nothing but positive news.

 

[Sir Erik ten Hag]

Fletcher will replace him?

 

[Lash]

People are mostly in fan fiction at this stage.
People have absolutely no clue what a director’s job is in general, let alone in the football industry, despite the many many many posts made by @Adnan to explain these guys’ roles in the club. Seeing posts suggesting Murtough to stay as Head of Recruitment only proves they don’t know what they’re talking about.

People are creaming over Maldini for instance, but he was too unqualified to be a DOF at Milan before he became DOF.

Almost all the clubs in Europe hire ex-players in some capacities but either people fail to be informed about that or just refuse to accept it so they can shite a little bit more about the club.

Look at what McKenna and Carrick are doing now after they were called PE teachers here.

I also think people claiming Mitchell to be the one of the best in Europe a bit odd as well.

I actually think from an experience perspective and work they've done over the years, I'd be more inclined to say Freedman has the better and more stable record. But I understand he's not very glam.

 

[SparkedIntoLife]

I’d be really curious to see the history of the DoFs/Sporting Directors in the top clubs. Without looking into it deeply, most have emerged from within, it seems. As much as I like the talent spotter types like Campos, Monchi and Mislintat, many of them have failed when going to bigger clubs. I’m not saying we should promote Fletcher or someone but what works at smaller clubs doesn’t always translate well at bigger ones. Maybe that’s the problem though - we might need to lose this mega club mindset for a while in order to properly rebuild.

 

[stefan92]

I’d be really curious to see the history of the DoFs/Sporting Directors in the top clubs. Without looking into it deeply, most have emerged from within, it seems. As much as I like the talent spotter types like Campos, Monchi and Mislintat, many of them have failed when going to bigger clubs.

I don't think for example Mislintat failed due to moving to a bigger club but due to getting more responsibility he wasn't used to and probably also wasn't as talented to do. He built his reputation as Dortmund's head scout and was impressive at this, but his DoF-stints don't look that impressive overall. Perhaps at Stuttgart he made good business in that role, yet even there he wasn't able to build a stable team despite signing a lot of talented players. Stuttgart are reaping the fruits of those transfers currently, but it is not surprising that Mislintat had to leave before this happened.

 

[golden_blunder]

Fletcher will replace him?

Is that a joke or a serious question? Hard to be sure around here

 

[horsechoker]

Fletcher will replace him?

Jesse Lingard is replacing him

 

[SparkedIntoLife]

I don't think for example Mislintat failed due to moving to a bigger club but due to getting more responsibility he wasn't used to and probably also wasn't as talented to do. He built his reputation as Dortmund's head scout and was impressive at this, but his DoF-stints don't look that impressive overall. Perhaps at Stuttgart he made good business in that role, yet even there he wasn't able to build a stable team despite signing a lot of talented players. Stuttgart are reaping the fruits of those transfers currently, but it is not surprising that Mislintat had to leave before this happened.

True. It’s interesting that some of the media noise suggests that United want at least one person, i.e. potentially Mitchell and Freedman or Maldini and the other ex Milan guy. The Director of Football role is quite varied in its definition and depends on the wider structure. I assume someone like Monchi or Campos (while having a good eye themselves) are incredibly reliant on their networks and colleagues.

It’ll be interesting to see what we choose to do.

 

[NewGlory]

And what does Fletcher do that Mitchell and Blanc will bring?

I think that question can end after "what does Fletcher do?" Rangnick spoke out publicly about not knowing answer to that. He was always the truth-teller. EtH hasn't said anything, but then again he is more tight-lipped.

Fletcher himself has said he helps academy players transition to senior team. That is usually joint responsibility of head of academy and the manager of the club. There is no transition helper role in other clubs

Technical director, generally, has responsibility for transfers of players to and away from the club. Their job is close to that of a director of football, and you usually don't see both roles at the same time. Not to mention that Fletcher himself thinks his role is academy related and not transfers related

 

[golden_blunder]

I think that question can end after "what does Fletcher do?" Rangnick spoke out publicly about not knowing answer to that. He was always the truth-teller. EtH hasn't said anything, but then again he is more tight-lipped.

Fletcher himself has said he helps academy players transition to senior team. That is usually joint responsibility of head of academy and the manager of the club. There is no transition helper role in other clubs

Technical director, generally, has responsibility for transfers of players to and away from the club. Their job is close to that of a director of football, and you usually don't see both roles at the same time. Not to mention that Fletcher himself thinks his role is academy related and not transfers related

But he’s not a technical director, but it’s the silly title that the club gave him that confuses a percentage of our fans like yourself.

I don’t read what Rangnick said in a literal sense more in the I don’t understand what he’s meant to be doing because the club him dabbling in everything at the time, his own job plus helping in coaching, convincing potential transfer targets, giving his opinion etc. under those circumstances I get why he asked the question but I wish he’d asked it in private because it forced Fletcher to come out and clarify in public what he did. Despite that some fans are still using that rather than taking fletchers own word for it

 

[Escobar]

Jesse Lingard is replacing him

No, he will be head of merchandise

 

[RedDevil@84]

Fletcher will replace him?

Rangnick.

 

[Ish]

I think Fletcher's job is safe. However I won't be surprised if Maldini is brought in as technical director.

A- INEOS seems to go for the very best (Blanc as CEO, Mitchell as DOF etc. There aren't many technical directors who did as well in their job as Maldini did with Milan. He was a key member in their Serie A winner campaign and when he was sacked the Milan fans were at arms

B- Maldini is a football icon. Schmeichel called him football royalty and you can see the likes of Schmeichel, Henry, Carra and Richards acting like 12 year old teenagers at his presence. That's an aura that very few players have.

C- Maldini knows what winning is all about. The guy won 26 trophies including 5 CL titles.

D- His experience is amazing. A son of a top player and a decent manager himself. Maldini was literally raised in football. He was a top talent into a world class academy, he played in one of the earliest Galactico type teams (in my opinion it was better then Pep's Barca), he saw Milan's transition into a cash strapped one who kept punching above its weight and when he returned to AC Milan as technical director they won the Serie A title despite being cashed strapped.

E- Maldini is vocal and will challenge the system. Berlusconi kept him out for that reason and it was one of the reasons why Cardinale wants him out. Ineos seem to love people with character who think out of the box (Brailsford, Mitchell etc)

F-Maldini seem to have had a more senior role then the one covered by Fletcher. He was more involved in transfers for example

G- United look set to have a very British football setup with Mitchell, Freedman and possibly SAF acting as advisor. Now Mitchell brings to the table his contacts from the German league + EPL league, Ineos and Blanc has great contacts in France while SAF is the don in the UK. Maldini on the other hand brings a huge wealth of knowledge and contacts in the Serie A and beyond. Every one idolize this guy from Puyol to Pep right to Ibra, Henry etc.

Personally I wouldn't want Maldini as our DOF. He's not experienced enough for the role. However as said as a technical director he would be mint

That’s a great video

thanks for posting that devilish

 

[devilish]

That’s a great video

thanks for posting that devilish

That video pretty much explain why I disagreed with those who justified Fletcher's quick rise to technical director by putting Maldini into the picture. His composure, his aura, his knowledge and the level of respect people have towards Maldini is off the charts. Its the result of being literally born into football. His father Cesare was a world class player himself and was also a manager including Italy (first team and U21). Paolo was a child prodigy having made his debut with Milan at age 16 and had thrived under great managers like Liedholm, Sacchi, Capello and Ancelotti. Throughout this endless career (1985 till 2009) he had played in an ever transforming Milan which include the galactico years (Milan were pretty much the original ones), the club descend to austerity were they had to succeed with a team largely made up of veterans and then he returned to Milan and was successful in wat at redcafe describe as a nightmarish situation were Elliott group pretty much called the shots (TBF Elliott weren't that bad)

Now would I want him ahead of Mitchell? The answer is no. TBF I'd rather have Freedman then him for the simple reason that Freedman is a sporting director a role Maldini had never covered. However if we're searching for a new technical director then Maldini would be my favorite and a clear upgrade on Fletcher. Milan has a youth academy at par to ours (Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta, Galli, Albertini and lately Donarrumma and Calabria), his role as technical director was more senior to Fletcher's, the least said about career and experience the better and let's face it, if a young talent is given equal pay at two clubs of similar stature one of whom brings Fletcher to the table and the other one brings Maldini, then we all know who would be the winner.

 

[golden_blunder]

That video pretty much explain why I disagreed with those who justified Fletcher's quick rise to technical director by putting Maldini into the picture. His composure, his aura, his knowledge and the level of respect people have towards Maldini is off the charts. Its the result of being literally born into football. His father Cesare was a world class player himself and was also a manager including Italy (first team and U21). Paolo was a child prodigy having made his debut with Milan at age 16 and had thrived under great managers like Liedholm, Sacchi, Capello and Ancelotti. Throughout this endless career (1985 till 2009) he had played in an ever transforming Milan which include the galactico years (Milan were pretty much the original ones), the club descend to austerity were they had to succeed with a team largely made up of veterans and then he returned to Milan and was successful in wat at redcafe describe as a nightmarish situation were Elliott group pretty much called the shots (TBF Elliott weren't that bad)

Now would I want him ahead of Mitchell? The answer is no. TBF I'd rather have Freedman then him for the simple reason that Freedman is a sporting director a role Maldini had never covered. However if we're searching for a new technical director then Maldini would be my favorite and a clear upgrade on Fletcher. Milan has a youth academy at par to ours (Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta, Galli, Albertini and lately Donarrumma and Calabria), his role as technical director was more senior to Fletcher's, the least said about career and experience the better and let's face it, if a young talent is given equal pay at two clubs of similar stature one of whom brings Fletcher to the table and the other one brings Maldini, then we all know who would be the winner.

I think you’re being somewhat unfair in this comparison @devilish
First of all I know you love Maldini and have never liked Fletcher even as a player so you’re looking at this through biased eyes.
Secondly in your scenario of attracting a youngster, you’re comparing someone born with the silver spoon, born in into a footballing dynasty and who became an absolute legend of the game versus someone who has had to work hard, and battle adversity to get where he did. He also played for lower teams when he got older which i feel is relevant experience for England.
further his job description is not that of a technical director, not sure what idea the club has had with that - it’s brought nothing but grief from United’s own fans because they don’t understand his job and can’t equate the two things.
lastly the work that Maldini had been doing in his role was like a deputy DoF learning the trade. It’s not the same and that’s why I don’t think they will replace Fletcher with Maldini.
what they may do is make Fletchers role redundant. Personally I’d find that course of action harsh as transitions to the first team squad has been good in the last 2 years

 

[Matt851]

People are mostly in fan fiction at this stage.
People have absolutely no clue what a director’s job is in general, let alone in the football industry, despite the many many many posts made by @Adnan to explain these guys’ roles in the club. Seeing posts suggesting Murtough to stay as Head of Recruitment only proves they don’t know what they’re talking about.

People are creaming over Maldini for instance, but he was too unqualified to be a DOF at Milan before he became DOF.

Almost all the clubs in Europe hire ex-players in some capacities but either people fail to be informed about that or just refuse to accept it so they can shite a little bit more about the club.

Look at what McKenna and Carrick are doing now after they were called PE teachers here.

But does Fletcher do what most people at other clubs with a similar job title do? It appears to me that he has a narrower role, so perhaps our structure as a whole needs reviewing rather than just getting in some one to replace what Fletcher is currently doing

 

[golden_blunder]

But does Fletcher do what most people at other clubs with a similar job title do? It appears to me that he has a narrower role, so perhaps our structure as a whole needs reviewing rather than just getting in some one to replace what Fletcher is currently doing

Or perhaps, as we are seeing with these new schemes today tied to the academy graduates, perhaps we are ahead of the curve

 

[greater wall]

I certainly would have preferred an evolution rather than an upheaval by sacking all the current directors and losing all the work that has been going on. Lots of new people without any background in UK football and the PL.
It started with both Gill and Ferguson going at the same time. Woodward was a disaster. Van Gaal getting rid of squad players without realising the intensity of the league and injuries. Short term managerial appointments and now someone coming in and saying everyone is crap and I will bring my people from across the continent.

 

[MackRobinson]

People are mostly in fan fiction at this stage.
People have absolutely no clue what a director’s job is in general, let alone in the football industry, despite the many many many posts made by @Adnan to explain these guys’ roles in the club. Seeing posts suggesting Murtough to stay as Head of Recruitment only proves they don’t know what they’re talking about.

People are creaming over Maldini for instance, but he was too unqualified to be a DOF at Milan before he became DOF.

Almost all the clubs in Europe hire ex-players in some capacities but either people fail to be informed about that or just refuse to accept it so they can shite a little bit more about the club.

Look at what McKenna and Carrick are doing now after they were called PE teachers here.

This thread and the takeover thread perfectly exemplify the Dunning-Kruger effect. It's head-scratching yet entertaining to read.

 

[RedUnited86]

Or perhaps, as we are seeing with these new schemes today tied to the academy graduates, perhaps we are ahead of the curve

right okay. When has this club ever been ahead of the curve in the last 20 years?

 

[Mr Pigeon]

Silly as this may sound, but I never knew Maldini spoke English!

I was also surprised that a guy who has spent most of his career in Italy can speak English better than half of the England football team.

I've always pictured Maldini as this godlike creature. Floating around inches above the ground, changing the weather with a raised eyebrow and pinching his fingers together in a back and forth motion in front of his mouth, saying things like "ho finito la crema per il sedere" which sound really cool and sophisticated until you Google translate it.

 

[Blood Mage]

Good riddance. Just as useless as Woody but at least Woody signed some superstars (who either didn't live up to their name or were past their best, but still).

 

[Blood Mage]

I certainly would have preferred an evolution rather than an upheaval by sacking all the current directors and losing all the work that has been going on. Lots of new people without any background in UK football and the PL.
It started with both Gill and Ferguson going at the same time. Woodward was a disaster. Van Gaal getting rid of squad players without realising the intensity of the league and injuries. Short term managerial appointments and now someone coming in and saying everyone is crap and I will bring my people from across the continent.

There is zero evidence that we were heading in the right direction at all, absolutely no reason to think that anyone employed in the recruitment/scouting department is qualified. Nothing has improved since Woody left.

 

[lysglimt]

Seems like Rangnick gets the surgery he wanted

 

[golden_blunder]

right okay. When has this club ever been ahead of the curve in the last 20 years?

We’re not bad at everything as much as fans want to believe that. We’ve always had a good system and record with the academy

 

[devilish]

I think you’re being somewhat unfair in this comparison @devilish
First of all I know you love Maldini and have never liked Fletcher even as a player so you’re looking at this through biased eyes.
Secondly in your scenario of attracting a youngster, you’re comparing someone born with the silver spoon, born in into a footballing dynasty and who became an absolute legend of the game versus someone who has had to work hard, and battle adversity to get where he did. He also played for lower teams when he got older which i feel is relevant experience for England.
further his job description is not that of a technical director, not sure what idea the club has had with that - it’s brought nothing but grief from United’s own fans because they don’t understand his job and can’t equate the two things.
lastly the work that Maldini had been doing in his role was like a deputy DoF learning the trade. It’s not the same and that’s why I don’t think they will replace Fletcher with Maldini.
what they may do is make Fletchers role redundant. Personally I’d find that course of action harsh as transitions to the first team squad has been good in the last 2 years

I think we have been through this 'I hate Fletcher' path a million times. Quite frankly I'm exhausted by it. I don't hate people I have never met let alone a United homegrown player. I think that Fletcher was a solid squad player (not the guy who would made us win the CL final against Prime Pep's Barca if he was available), who shouldn't have been given a long term contract when his illness surfaced and he should have never gone from U16 coach to first team coach right to a director in a matter of months. That doesn't mean that I hate him.

Regarding Maldini being born with a silver spoon that's inaccurate. His father retired in 1967 as a player and he had 6 children. He kept working till his 80s as a commentator of Bein which is hardly the life of someone who swimming is wealth. Players salaries at the time were hardly the ones they are now. If anything no one put doubt on Maldini's hardwork. We can safely say though that he didn't made it in football because he was Cesare or Sacchi's 'son' that's for sure.

Regarding his job I don't blame people struggling on the matter as Rangnick himself struggled on the matter and he's been in football since forever. Nevertheless if we're looking for someone with a eye for talent, who knows what winning means as a team protagonist, who has a solid foundation of how transfers work and who is known and idolized by people in the football world then Maldini is our man. I doubt that the next Haaland or the next Bellingham cares of how Fletcher fought his way to a squad player role and his experience at WBA. However they would certainly know who Maldini was.

 

[Zed is not dead]

This thread and the takeover thread perfectly exemplify the Dunning-Kruger effect. It's head-scratching yet entertaining to read.

Ahaha pretty spot on

 

[Zed is not dead]

We’re not bad at everything as much as fans want to believe that. We’ve always had a good system and record with the academy

It’s funny because if you look at the threads about stripping City of their titles, our shite and utterly incompetent club would still be among the clubs to get some silverware as a result.

Now, we are rightfully frustrated because we’re so far below our potential as a club.
However, even at our highest level of dysfunctional and mismanagement, we never finished a season below 6th I think, managed to reach a few Europa finals and a couple of domestic cups.
Is this enough for United? Probably not. But there‘s a whole spectrum between quadruple winner and relegation fodder.

 

[Roboc7]

I certainly would have preferred an evolution rather than an upheaval by sacking all the current directors and losing all the work that has been going on. Lots of new people without any background in UK football and the PL.
It started with both Gill and Ferguson going at the same time. Woodward was a disaster. Van Gaal getting rid of squad players without realising the intensity of the league and injuries. Short term managerial appointments and now someone coming in and saying everyone is crap and I will bring my people from across the continent.

A big clear out is the only way forward, the club is full of people in key positions who have been around for years of failure and been rewarded for it. Incompetence breeds incompetence and I’ve no doubt whoever bought the club would be ripping it up and starting again, be crazy not to.

 

[devilish]

I certainly would have preferred an evolution rather than an upheaval by sacking all the current directors and losing all the work that has been going on. Lots of new people without any background in UK football and the PL.
It started with both Gill and Ferguson going at the same time. Woodward was a disaster. Van Gaal getting rid of squad players without realising the intensity of the league and injuries. Short term managerial appointments and now someone coming in and saying everyone is crap and I will bring my people from across the continent.

A CEO change won't hinder the football side in any way. Arnold was a finance guy. Things are different with Murtough. However INEOS is said to have prepared for this for months. If we get Mitchell he's well versed in EPL football and he's probably a phone call away from Rangnick.