Pros and Cons of a DoF

comment by Lubo - Get Excited for Leeds United (U14008)
posted 24 minutes ago
Depends on the club, the manager they work with, and how the club wants to operate. Not all DoFs will specialise in the same things.
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It depends on the manager and if the manager is happy to liaise for target players through another person, rather than directly with the owners.

In case of Spurs, Poch goes straight to Levy for target players/wages/transfer fees etc.

But the difference is some team managers and some teams prefer to have a DoF in between the manager and the owners.

Don't forget the problem would DoF as seen by some managers who don;t like this concept is that when the owners want to sack a manager, the job goes to DoF to sack the manager, as per the board recommendation and then it is upto the DoF to draw up a list of possible replacements. This job is tricky because, it makes DoF come up with a brand of football that the club wants to stamp on going foward and consequently, DoF will need to match the search for the manager with the criteria of what is the brand of football the club wants to be seen as.

Maybe an attacking side, a side that gives young players a chance or the board wants someone who can deliver now, and it doesn't matter on the costs.

Ultimately, the problem with a DoF is that the DoF/Manager becomes a very essential relationship in the club. Any falling over would compromise the setup.

comment by Big McTominay (U22257)
posted 50 minutes ago
comment by morespurs (U15748)
posted 34 minutes ago
Ok, being serious now.

This DOF concept came out few years ago, and at its inception, it was a role that was created to take away all the non football stuff away from the manager, matters that are important to both manager and players, but not about tactics or training.
The idea is that DoF would sit between the owners/higher up people and the manager, being at the bottom end.
The DoF would provide feedback on how many players the manager and him, discussed then earmarked for the next transfer window, including fees/wage of targeted players. Also, if a current player has an issue with bonuses/wage, the DoF would take care of it. This is brief but hoping might help.
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Ok. So he discusses targets with scouts and the manager and then discusses them with the execs.

Surely the manager and head scout can do that ?

And cant the agent discuss contract issues with the execs?
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You can imagine the folks who are execs/board don'y know football values and how much a player should/would cost etc...This kind of information requires research on the performance and injury history of the target player. These execs/boar don;t have the time nor the desire to do these research.

So in the case of DoF, they rather pay them to do the research and get value for the club from any sales. Whether this value is in money (resale), or in performance and winning trophies.

Right now I’d be happy if we could find someone to direct the football towards the opposition goal a few times per game.

"So in the case of DoF, they rather pay them to do the research and get value for the club from any sales. Whether this value is in money (resale), or in performance and winning trophies"

But surely the Head scout, manager and the person who negotiates the fees can do this?

comment by morespurs (U15748)
posted 1 hour, 11 minutes ago
comment by Lubo - Get Excited for Leeds United (U14008)
posted 24 minutes ago
Depends on the club, the manager they work with, and how the club wants to operate. Not all DoFs will specialise in the same things.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

It depends on the manager and if the manager is happy to liaise for target players through another person, rather than directly with the owners.

In case of Spurs, Poch goes straight to Levy for target players/wages/transfer fees etc.

But the difference is some team managers and some teams prefer to have a DoF in between the manager and the owners.

Don't forget the problem would DoF as seen by some managers who don;t like this concept is that when the owners want to sack a manager, the job goes to DoF to sack the manager, as per the board recommendation and then it is upto the DoF to draw up a list of possible replacements. This job is tricky because, it makes DoF come up with a brand of football that the club wants to stamp on going foward and consequently, DoF will need to match the search for the manager with the criteria of what is the brand of football the club wants to be seen as.

Maybe an attacking side, a side that gives young players a chance or the board wants someone who can deliver now, and it doesn't matter on the costs.

Ultimately, the problem with a DoF is that the DoF/Manager becomes a very essential relationship in the club. Any falling over would compromise the setup.

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Exactly.

If the DOF gets it wrong or moves on, that's just as much upheaval if not more than replacing a manager.

Another issue, how do you measure the effectiveness of a DOF?

I’m glad rdd posted this. I was all for a dof, but he’s made me see the light with that well researched list..

Is it a qualified opinion?
Does the beat manager / coach available want to work under a DoF ?
Age groups may not have the personal to play the same way
How do you measure their performance / value?
Task already undertaken by other members of staff
Difficult to find a replacement who has the exact same vision / opinions
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As a recruitment consultant Im wondering how any of these can be considered cons.

Is there a given job description for a D of F

Can you study to be one...? - or are there other skills that are transferable in order that you could call yourself this title.

There was talk the Petr Cech was going to become this at Chelsea...which i questioned, although I see he has signed to be an Ice Hockey player (keeper) this week in the national league...who knew...?

comment by Ole-Dirty-Baz ta’rd (U19119)
posted 9 hours, 23 minutes ago
I’m glad rdd posted this. I was all for a dof, but he’s made me see the light with that well researched list..
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My work here is done

comment by Sheriff JW Pepper (U1007)
posted 5 hours, 20 minutes ago
Is there a given job description for a D of F

Can you study to be one...? - or are there other skills that are transferable in order that you could call yourself this title.

There was talk the Petr Cech was going to become this at Chelsea...which i questioned, although I see he has signed to be an Ice Hockey player (keeper) this week in the national league...who knew...?

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If you listen to United fans then the criteria is as follows-

Has to be a 'football person'

Be the greatest talent spotter to never have scouted

Negotiate signings for a fraction the current regime do (But no accounting experience allowed)

Have a list of coaches to come in at any moment to take over without any transfer requirements or desire to instill their own tactics / style.