Breaking - Tony Khan Appointed

[Friendsoffulham]

Tony Khan Appointed


Thursday 23 February 2017 16:26

Shahid Khan, Chairman of Fulham Football Club, today named Tony Khan as Vice Chairman and Director of Football Operations, effective immediately.

Tony Khan assumes his responsibilities following a period of advising the football operations at Fulham, particularly in the area of analytics and research. Over the past year in particular, Tony Khan played an integral role in the identification, recruitment and signing of the players that currently play for Fulham, which sits in seventh place in the Sky Bet Championship.

Upon accepting his new role at Fulham, Tony Khan made two immediate appointments by promoting Brian Talbot as Assistant Director of Football Operations and Chief Scout, and likewise elevating Craig Kline to Assistant Director of Football Operations and Director of Statistical Research. Talbot and Kline will each report directly to Tony Khan.

Tony Khan, 34, is the son of Shahid Khan, who purchased Fulham Football Club in July 2013. Tony Khan is an owner of both FFC and the Jacksonville Jaguars, a National Football League team based in the United States where he holds the title of Senior Vice President, Football Technology & Analytics. Tony Khan is also the owner and chairman of TruMedia Networks, a Boston-based engineering firm specialising in sports analytics solutions for leagues, franchises, and media partners across the sports industry.

"Today's appointment brings a formal structure and recognition to the role that Tony has recently played on the football side of our Club and especially since the conclusion of last season," Shahid Khan said.

"Tony has served the Club quietly but faithfully and extremely well during that time. He brings new practices to what we're doing but not at the expense of what would be considered traditional and proven methods.  It's important to remember there is no industry in the world that is succeeding today by doing things exactly the same way as they did yesterday, yet there are also some basic principles of success that are timeless. Tony has respect for the old and new, and that's what we need to achieve the goal of returning to the Premier League in a manner that is responsible and sustainable for a long time.

"Tony also understands the scrutiny and responsibility that will come with this assignment. Tony welcomes it, as do I."



In 2015, Tony Khan created the statistical research department at Fulham, where his aim was to complement classic scouting methods by analysing football player performance and developing proprietary football performance metrics to aid the Club's efforts to gain promotion back into the English Premier League.

Tony Khan broadened his scope of responsibilities in 2016 when he actively immersed himself in all facets of the football operations at Fulham, including working with Head Coach Slaviša Jokanović and the entire football staff during the summer transfer period to build the current FFC squad.

"I have to applaud our current team and the strides our Club has made in less than a year, and there is no doubt in my mind that we will compete for a play-off position because we have the talent to achieve that and we have extraordinary leadership in Slav," Tony Khan said. "I'm very optimistic. Our team should be optimistic as well. I am sure they are.

"The biggest thing for me is I'm also extremely excited for our long-term future at Fulham.  I'm really lucky to see the commitment of our staff, day in and day out, and better than anyone I know the commitment of our ownership.  I have quite a responsibility ahead and am proud to accept it.  I know all eyes will be upon me, and I'm ready for that.  No one will want and work harder for long-term success for Fulham more than I will."

Tony Khan graduated from the College of Business at the University of Illinois in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance.

Brian Talbot has authored a rich and successful career in top-flight English football as a player, manager and scout.  As a player, Talbot's apprenticeship and playing career at Ipswich Town was followed by stints at Arsenal, Watford, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion and Fulham, as well as six appearances for the England National Team.  Talbot later managed at West Bromwich Albion, Aldershot, Hibernians (Malta), Rushden & Diamonds, Oldham Athletic, Oxford United and Marsaxlokk (Malta) before ultimately joining Fulham's scouting department in 2011.

Craig Kline practised law in Illinois before turning to consulting in the area of sports analytics for various professional sports teams as well as TruMedia. Kline arrived at Fulham in October 2014 and was later named as the Club's director of statistical research. Kline serves as an advisor to Tony Khan and within the football department on various team and player-related projects.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/february/23/tony-khan-appointed

[AlexW132]

Before all the inevitable Khan out brigade come along, I just want to say that I think we should give the man a chance. He seems committed, and personally other than Jozabed and Sigurdsson I have been happy with our transfer dealings under his research. Just my 2 cents on the matter.

[Horsfield_No9]

The video interview with Ivan had some interesting quotes. Ivan did a great job by the way for those who haven't seen it/don't have access. Seemed odd to not have Sarah but maybe her probing questions were off limits today?

RE Slav contract "Hopefully very soon we will be announcing something, we hope he works here for a very long time"

He also says how he didn't like the way transfers had been being done prior to this summer but was involved in the 14 who joined this season.

Quite impressed with him, he seems likeable. Says he is close to Slav and they have a good relationship. Still feels like something of a play thing as he's a young guy (34) who has been hired by his Dad. Time will tell. My main problem is still Kline as whether it be our current manager or a future one, someone is gonna bash heads with the man.

[Riversider]

Comes across very well, and clearly states that Slavisa will be extending his contract shortly, which is great news,
Now he needs to stop the continual NFL tweets and start mentioning Fulham

[Horsfield_No9]

Also interesting and encouraging that he has been here for all of 2017 bar one week he spent with the Jags and also to see the Super Bowl.

[davew]

Before all the inevitable Khan out brigade come along, I just want to say that I think we should give the man a chance. He seems committed, and personally other than Jozabed and Sigurdsson I have been happy with our transfer dealings under his research. Just my 2 cents on the matter.

I think you mean Khan(s) out brigade? Not really sure what difference this job title change is going to make, probably none this season, however for the moment I will add a +1 to Statto's comment.

[Horsfield_No9]

Before all the inevitable Khan out brigade come along, I just want to say that I think we should give the man a chance. He seems committed, and personally other than Jozabed and Sigurdsson I have been happy with our transfer dealings under his research. Just my 2 cents on the matter.

I think you mean Khan(s) out brigade? Not really sure what difference this job title change is going to make, probably none this season, however for the moment I will add a +1 to Statto's comment.

A further +1 from me.

[f321ffc]

Anyone know what is Ali Mac's roll is these days.

[Wearethewhites]

Not a fan if I'm honest, of him, or Kline, however, both will have to convince a lot of fans that they can make this work. On the plus side, I've always said, that the board of directors looks a bit thin, a bit like a ghost town, and if Tony is prepared to be more of a permanent figure and promote Fulham, I'll get behind him. 

[davew]

Anyone know what is Ali Mac's roll is these days.

Chris Martins private trainer!!

[AlexW132]

Before all the inevitable Khan out brigade come along, I just want to say that I think we should give the man a chance. He seems committed, and personally other than Jozabed and Sigurdsson I have been happy with our transfer dealings under his research. Just my 2 cents on the matter.

I think you mean Khan(s) out brigade? Not really sure what difference this job title change is going to make, probably none this season, however for the moment I will add a +1 to Statto's comment.

I meant the Khan Sr. Out brigade. Hopefully there will never be a Khan Jr. Out brigade so as Horsfield says time will tell.

[AlexW132]

Anyone know what is Ali Mac's roll is these days.

Was thinking the same, at the very least his role's gonna be smaller. I reckon he could follow Rigg out the door.

[toshes mate]

Okay then, let us wait and see how this all fits together and pans out. Khan Jnr certainly deserves every chance in his new(?) role.  Liked Brian Talbot as a player and look forward to seeing how his influences bear fruit.   Hopefully this will signal a new era of Ambition (please note the capital A).

[callumc513]

Absolutely fine with this, him and Kline seem like highly intelligent guys.

[RaySmith]

He seems enthusiastic, and will presumably be based here.

Let's give the  bloke a chance, this could be the start of something.

[colinwhite]

I think it shows that our owner is committed to the club and cares . He will definitely want his son to succeed and is going to back him . This and Slavisa contract extension is great news going forward!

[TWFL]

Anyone know what is Ali Mac's roll is these days.

Was thinking the same, at the very least his role's gonna be smaller. I reckon he could follow Rigg out the door.

CEO, financial side of the club. Very experienced in that area. Will handle negotiations of deals no doubt.

Think the most important part of this article is the bit regarding Brian Talbot being promoted to Chief Scout. Very good scout and great guy, will definitely help us out long term, chuffed with that news.

[davew]

SJ agreeing a new contract is a good start, teaching our players to convert a penalty might take a little longer!

[AlexW132]

Anyone know what is Ali Mac's roll is these days.

Was thinking the same, at the very least his role's gonna be smaller. I reckon he could follow Rigg out the door.

CEO, financial side of the club. Very experienced in that area. Will handle negotiations of deals no doubt.

Think the most important part of this article is the bit regarding Brian Talbot being promoted to Chief Scout. Very good scout and great guy, will definitely help us out long term, chuffed with that news.

Indeed, so at the very least Ali Mac's losing at least some of his transfer responsibility.

[Holders]

"My No. 1 priority for months has been working toward an extension that keeps Slav at Fulham".

Quite right.