Wither DOF?

Think someone posted an article like this yesterday

When you consider the alternative is Woodward, then it's a no brainer. Will we actually get one in the near future?? unlikely imo....

If you consider the days of long-term managers a permanent thing of the past, then there are definite advantages in having a DoF - not least a sense of stability, direction, style and purpose.

It does, however, entail the risk of becoming somewhat dogmatic. You don't want to be so entrenched in your ideas that you're left with the maneouverability of an aircraft carrier.

The DoF also needs to understand where his role starts and finishes, so as not to step into the manager's territory. The manager, in turn, needs to work with the DoF and not see him as a rival or an obstacle to his designs.

A DoF who knows how to strike the adequate balance and is aware of and responsive to a team's changing needs as it goes through different stages of development can go a long way towards achieving relatively stable success for the club.

Notwithstanding all of the above, I don't think now would be the right time for United to appoint one.

Comment Deleted by Site Moderator

Comment Deleted by Site Moderator

comment by itsonlyagame (U6426)
posted 1 hour, 49 minutes ago
If you consider the days of long-term managers a permanent thing of the past, then there are definite advantages in having a DoF - not least a sense of stability, direction, style and purpose.

It does, however, entail the risk of becoming somewhat dogmatic. You don't want to be so entrenched in your ideas that you're left with the maneouverability of an aircraft carrier.

The DoF also needs to understand where his role starts and finishes, so as not to step into the manager's territory. The manager, in turn, needs to work with the DoF and not see him as a rival or an obstacle to his designs.

A DoF who knows how to strike the adequate balance and is aware of and responsive to a team's changing needs as it goes through different stages of development can go a long way towards achieving relatively stable success for the club.

Notwithstanding all of the above, I don't think now would be the right time for United to appoint one.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't think we need just a new DOF though at the club. This has to come from the board in terms of the direction the club is going in. From the outside looking in it seems we want to be the new Real Madrid (no offense IOAG!).

If thats what we want to do then we have probably the best manager in the world at doing that so a DOF isn't going to add anything that we aren't already doing.

If we want to be buying younger players or bringing them through the academy then I agree a DOF can play a huge part in that but we have gone for the wrong manager to do it.

comment by Republik of Mancunia (U6779)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago

I don't think we need just a new DOF though at the club. This has to come from the board in terms of the direction the club is going in. From the outside looking in it seems we want to be the new Real Madrid (no offense IOAG!).

If thats what we want to do then we have probably the best manager in the world at doing that so a DOF isn't going to add anything that we aren't already doing.

If we want to be buying younger players or bringing them through the academy then I agree a DOF can play a huge part in that but we have gone for the wrong manager to do it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

None taken! Madrid is one of the poorest possible examples of the benefits of a DoF in modern day football. Here it's a largely decorative role for us under the chairman, who decides the hiring and firing of managers, makes the big calls on transfers and on the overall running of the club's football and non-football affairs.

While it's true that Madrid have traditionally been a presidential club, the modern-day businessmen wanting to play the Bernabéu role completely overlook the fact that before he became president Bernabéu was first a youth teamer, then senior player, then captain, then assistant manager and manager and even director of football at the club. He knew his football very well indeed, as well as every inch of the club upside down and inside out.

Today's incumbents' knowledge of football is barely more than what they are able to learn from their VIP boxes.


As for United, I agree think the DoF wouldn't work with Mourinho, hence the final line in my opening comment, but I do think there are clear advantages to be had in a model where the club has a guiding football line tobring together it's academy and reserve set ups, recruitment strategy, managerial appointments, etc., etc.

Imho, there's a fair chance you'd be in a much better place right now if such a decision had been made when SAF bowed out. I realise it would have been a departure from tradition, but one that I think would have put you in better stead for the post-Fergie era.

Have to agree looking at the starting 1 today how do you spend £600m in the last 4 years and put out a team like that?? Woodward is the common denominator in all this. I think a donkey could do his job better and at half the price.

comment by itsonlyagame (U6426)
posted 1 day, 1 hour ago
comment by Republik of Mancunia (U6779)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago

I don't think we need just a new DOF though at the club. This has to come from the board in terms of the direction the club is going in. From the outside looking in it seems we want to be the new Real Madrid (no offense IOAG!).

If thats what we want to do then we have probably the best manager in the world at doing that so a DOF isn't going to add anything that we aren't already doing.

If we want to be buying younger players or bringing them through the academy then I agree a DOF can play a huge part in that but we have gone for the wrong manager to do it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

None taken!Madrid is one of the poorest possible examples of the benefits of a DoF in modern day football. Here it's a largely decorative role for us under the chairman, who decides the hiring and firing of managers, makes the big calls on transfers and on the overall running of the club's football and non-football affairs.

While it's true that Madrid have traditionally been a presidential club, the modern-day businessmen wanting to play the Bernabéu role completely overlook the fact that before he became president Bernabéu was first a youth teamer, then senior player, then captain, then assistant manager and manager and even director of football at the club. He knew his football very well indeed, as well as every inch of the club upside down and inside out.

Today's incumbents' knowledge of football is barely more than what they are able to learn from their VIP boxes.


As for United, I agree think the DoF wouldn't work with Mourinho, hence the final line in my opening comment, but I do think there are clear advantages to be had in a model where the club has a guiding football line tobring together it's academy and reserve set ups, recruitment strategy, managerial appointments, etc., etc.

Imho, there's a fair chance you'd be in a much better place right now if such a decision had been made when SAF bowed out. I realise it would have been a departure from tradition, but one that I think would have put you in better stead for the post-Fergie era.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
We might have been better off if SAF had done the role himself as that might have served all purposes but I know that didn't really work out after Matt Busby either...