Tuesday Fulham Stuff -15/06/21...

[WhiteJC]

What exactly is our new Director of Scouting role?
Louis Wishlade lays out the responsibilities of our currently vacant role, as well as how the newcomer will fit into the club's hierarchy.

Last month, The Athletic's, Peter Rutzler divulged Fulham's plans to recruit a Director of Scouting – a new role working alongside Tony Khan on talent identification and recruitment. This caused some confusion among the fanbase, purely because few other football clubs employ such a role. However, it wasn't long before confusion became ridicule, as fans promptly spotted the publicly-posted job advertisement on the club's website.

So, with the application process drawing to a close today, we thought to untangle your bewilderment and undertake a little headhunting of our own.

Warning: A lot of Football Manager was used during the creation of this article.

What is a Director of Scouting?
Fulham's operational structure seems somewhat murky on the surface. Currently, it appears that the club doesn't have the traditional 'Head Scout' role. Thus, the Director of Scouting will act as an all-powerful Chief Scout, overseeing both Senior Scouts and the Head of Opposition Scouting.

Peter states that the Director of Scouting role will effectively replace Javier Periera's previous position as Assistant Director of Football Operations by adding a new role, as part of a reshuffle rather than restructure. Therefore, it is seen as an "integral" role that will ensure that there's a "dedicated position focusing on the scouting side of recruitment".

This suggests that the role will be underneath Tony Khan, acting as a funnel for the scouting information to simplify the co-owner's 'two-boxes-ticked system', as Khan focuses on the statistical and analytical side of the process. Khan does this partly because of his love for playing Moneyball, however, also because the role of Head of Recruitment Analysis hasn't been occupied since the departure of controversial figure, Craig Kline.

However, an excerpt from the job advertisement on the Fulham website contradicts this, stating that one of the key responsibilities of the role is "liaising with the Director of Football Operations, Assistant Director of Football Operations, Head Coach, Head of Football Development and Chief Executive Officer to deliver the First Team recruitment strategy". Therefore, the door is left open for a future appointment of an Assistant Director of Football Operations, with whom the incoming director will have to work alongside, although this could easily be an admin error.

Therefore, it appears that the club's organisational structure will look like this:

Why publicly post an advert?
Javier Periera left Motspur Park in September 2020, leaving to manage Chinese Super League club Henan Jianye, having only rejoined Fulham (after his spell as Slavisa Jokanovic's assistant from 2015-2018) as Assistant Director of Football Operations in January of 2020.

It's understood that filling this Periera-shaped void is of paramount importance for the club's hierarchy, with Rutzler reporting that Fulham have been searching for his replacement since his departure in September. Therefore, a publicly-posted advert eight months later suggests a failed headhunt, with no one meeting the require standards, no one wanting to come, or simply that the powers that be wish to cast a wider net.

What will they do and what skills will they need?
In layman's terms, it seems as though the role encompasses responsibilities usually associated with a Head Scout, and that the distinction lies with effective communication a greater sense of power, rather than simply being at the disposal of the Director of Football.

Therefore, Fulham state that the key responsibilities of the Director of Scouting include:

Source: Fulham FC

However, unfortunately for the majority of Fulham fans, this job requires experience, skills and qualifications which few can lay claim to; with the website stating that the following is necessary for the role:

Source: Fulham FC

So, who could fill this crucial hole in our club's hierarchy. Stay tuned for part two, where I list five potential candidates.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2021-06-14-what-exactly-is-our-new-director-of-scouting-role/

[WhiteJC]

Sources: Fulham star growing increasingly open to exit amid strained Parker relationship

Aleksandar Mitrovic is growing increasingly open to leaving Fulham this summer and is ready to consider clubs from around Europe, Football League World can reveal.

The Serbian forward has had a lot of speculation surround him in recent weeks with it as yet unclear as to whether he's going to remain at Craven Cottage for their return to the Sky Bet Championship.

Of course, if he does stay he will be a big asset given the success he has had in the second tier but his relationship with Scott Parker is proving a particular issue and could spark his exit.

Football League World has learned that if the Fulham manager remains in the dugout for next year at Craven Cottage it is very likely that the striker will push for an exit, with him ready to consider offers from clubs around the continent for his services.

Mitrovic, of course, was key in Fulham's play-off winning campaign in 2019/20 as they sealed promotion back into the Premier League but last season was a little less prolific, to put it lightly, with just three top-flight goals to his name.

With Fulham short on attacking options as it is, too, the Serb's exit will only increase the need for the club to add reinforcements for the final third.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/sources-fulham-star-growing-increasingly-open-to-exit-amid-strained-parker-relationship/

[WhiteJC]

Leeds: Pundit talks up Harrison Reed signing

Former Sunderland hero Kevin Phillips believes that Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed would be an ideal addition at Leeds United ahead of next season.

Reed was unable to keep Fulham in the Premier League, with Scott Parker's side now facing up to life back in the Championship.

The 26-year-old has been linked with a summer move to Leeds, however, with Marcelo Bielsa potentially seeing him as a shrewd addition.

Reed featured in 31 league games last season, and while Fulham struggled hugely, he often stood out for them, enjoying an 86.2 per cent pass completion rate.

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips spoke glowingly about the Englishman, saying he could provide good cover for Kalvin Phillips:

There have been times when Phillips has arguably been relied upon too much in Leeds' midfield, with centre-back Pascal Struijk having to fill in there on occasions.

While he did adequately in that role overall, it is important for a natural midfielder, one in a similar mould to Phillips to come in, improving the squad depth in the process.

Redd could be perfect, in that respect, proving to be a tenacious player in the middle of the park – he averaged two tackles and 1.6 interceptions per game in the league last season – but also possessing quality on the ball.



https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/leeds-pundit-talks-up-harrison-reed-signing/

[WhiteJC]

 New Torino boss to check out Super Eagles defender in pre-season before making transfer decision

Italian Serie A club Torino are willing to listen to offers for Nigeria international Ola Aina.

According to Toro News,  Torino coach Ivan Jurić could sanction the sale of the Chelsea academy product in the summer transfer window.

Juric will run the rule over Aina in pre-season training if the versatile defender can fit into his plans before making a decision on the future of the Super Eagles star.

The former England U19 skipper has not worked with Juric before as the Croatian was recently appointed coach of the Maroons with effect from July 1, 2021.

Aina enjoyed a successful loan spell at Fulham last season even though the Cottagers were relegated, making 31 starts from a possible 38 in the Premier League.

On a personal level, he won the Premier League Goal of the Month award for November for his brilliant strike vs West Brom and also took home Fulham's Goal of the Season prize.

He was not in the long-term plans of former Torino coach Marco Giampaolo before heading out on loan to Fulham, who didn't take up the option to sign him on a permanent basis after losing their top-flight status.

Igho Kingsley



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=40171

[JimOG]

New Torino boss to check out Super Eagles defender in pre-season before making transfer decision

Italian Serie A club Torino are willing to listen to offers for Nigeria international Ola Aina.

According to Toro News,  Torino coach Ivan Jurić could sanction the sale of the Chelsea academy product in the summer transfer window.

Juric will run the rule over Aina in pre-season training if the versatile defender can fit into his plans before making a decision on the future of the Super Eagles star.

The former England U19 skipper has not worked with Juric before as the Croatian was recently appointed coach of the Maroons with effect from July 1, 2021.

Aina enjoyed a successful loan spell at Fulham last season even though the Cottagers were relegated, making 31 starts from a possible 38 in the Premier League.

On a personal level, he won the Premier League Goal of the Month award for November for his brilliant strike vs West Brom and also took home Fulham's Goal of the Season prize.

He was not in the long-term plans of former Torino coach Marco Giampaolo before heading out on loan to Fulham, who didn't take up the option to sign him on a permanent basis after losing their top-flight status.

Igho Kingsley



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=40171

If you put credence in 'transfermkt' then he's valued at £5.4mill - now he's 2 years left on his Torino contract + decent wages but he'd be a great first buy if we have any ambition and can cover  across the back four

[filham]

With our poor goal scoring record last season it is obvious that we need to rebuild our attack. Cav. and Reid alone are not going to cut apart championship defenses. Add in Mitro and Cairney and things begin to look a little more hopeful.

Mitro right now is the key figure and therefore the Parker/Mitro situation needs sorting as soon as ever possible. Come on TK get to grips with the situation either bang their heads together or sack one of them.

[Bill2]

Leeds: Pundit talks up Harrison Reed signing

Former Sunderland hero Kevin Phillips believes that Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed would be an ideal addition at Leeds United ahead of next season.

Reed was unable to keep Fulham in the Premier League, with Scott Parker's side now facing up to life back in the Championship.

The 26-year-old has been linked with a summer move to Leeds, however, with Marcelo Bielsa potentially seeing him as a shrewd addition.

Reed featured in 31 league games last season, and while Fulham struggled hugely, he often stood out for them, enjoying an 86.2 per cent pass completion rate.

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips spoke glowingly about the Englishman, saying he could provide good cover for Kalvin Phillips:

There have been times when Phillips has arguably been relied upon too much in Leeds' midfield, with centre-back Pascal Struijk having to fill in there on occasions.

While he did adequately in that role overall, it is important for a natural midfielder, one in a similar mould to Phillips to come in, improving the squad depth in the process.

Redd could be perfect, in that respect, proving to be a tenacious player in the middle of the park – he averaged two tackles and 1.6 interceptions per game in the league last season – but also possessing quality on the ball.



https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/leeds-pundit-talks-up-harrison-reed-signing/

Well all the talk of this is about cover for Phillips, would Harrison be happy to sit on the bench even for a premier club waiting for a few minutes at the end of a game or if he is injured. Also to be negative I don't recall a season where Harrison has not had an injury himself and been out for a few games.
At his age I am sure he would want first team football which he would get at Fulham.