All articles tagged with #sporting director
Matt Crocker has stepped down from his role as the U.S. Soccer Federation’s sporting director ahead of the World Cup, marking a leadership change as the federation prepares for the tournament.
Dan Ashworth's abrupt exit as Manchester United's sporting director, just five months after his appointment, has shocked club staff. The decision, reportedly mutual, was influenced by tensions with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's leadership team. Ashworth's lack of assertiveness in selecting a new head coach and his proposal to use a data company for recruitment were points of contention. Ratcliffe, seeking a more dynamic approach, was dissatisfied with Ashworth's performance, leading to his departure. The club now faces uncertainty in filling the role amid ongoing cost-cutting measures.
Liverpool appoints Richard Hughes as their new sporting director, with his appointment dependent on FSG securing Michael Edwards as its CEO of football. Hughes, who previously served as Bournemouth’s technical director, was headhunted by Edwards and is set to join Liverpool at the end of the season. Known for his outstanding judgement and track record in recruitment, Hughes will work alongside Edwards to make decisions and lead the football operations team at Liverpool.
Michael Edwards, former sporting director of Liverpool, has returned to FSG as CEO of football after rejecting previous offers. His new role includes overseeing a summer rebuild of Liverpool and identifying a second football club for FSG. Edwards was persuaded to return by a compelling pitch from FSG, which involved a broader scope of responsibilities and power, as well as a multi-million-pound salary. His return signifies a shift in power dynamics at Liverpool following Jurgen Klopp's departure, and he is expected to appoint Bournemouth's Richard Hughes as sporting director and pursue Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso as Klopp's successor.
Liverpool is eyeing Richard Hughes, former Bournemouth technical director, as their new sporting director to shape the club's future post-Jurgen Klopp. Hughes' successful track record in recruitment and his relationship with former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards make him an appealing choice. His experience in player recruitment and managerial appointments at Bournemouth will be crucial as he navigates the challenges of finding a new manager and strengthening Liverpool's squad.
Dan Ashworth has been placed on gardening leave at Newcastle United after expressing his desire to leave, with Manchester United showing interest in appointing him as their sporting director. The 52-year-old's departure is complicated by his existing contract, with Newcastle United reportedly seeking £20 million in compensation. Manchester United is willing to be patient and not rush into paying an unrealistic sum, while formal contact between the clubs is anticipated soon. Ashworth, known for his expertise in player recruitment and high-performance structures, has a strong reputation in the football industry. This development comes amidst Sir Jim Ratcliffe's agreement to purchase a 25% stake in Newcastle United, pending the closure of the tender offer.
Sporting Kansas City's principal owner, Michael Illig, has announced the mutual agreement to release Gavin Wilkinson from his recently-announced role with the club, citing the passionate response from fans as a driving force behind the decision. The club ran a diligent process to identify a new Sporting Director, but ultimately prioritized honoring and protecting their valued relationships with fans and the Kansas City community.
Barcelona has announced the departure of Mateu Alemany as sporting director for the second time this year, with Deco officially named as his replacement. The timing and tone of the announcement were unexpected, catching senior figures at the club off guard. Alemany's departure is linked to the arrival of Deco and a new structure within the sporting direction of the club. There is no confirmation on whether Alemany will take on a new role at the club or leave permanently. Deco, who played for Barcelona between 2004 and 2008, will be responsible for setting the club's sporting philosophy and assembling the squad.
Rodolfo Borrell, a highly experienced coach and executive in the world of soccer, has been appointed as the Sporting Director of Austin FC. Borrell, who has worked with prestigious clubs such as FC Barcelona and Manchester City, will oversee all aspects of Austin FC's sporting department. He aims to help the club win trophies and establish itself as an elite team in Major League Soccer. Borrell's multi-year contract details were not disclosed.
Bayern Munich has reportedly spoken to RB Leipzig's sporting director, Max Eberl, about potentially replacing Hasan Salihamidžić. However, it is uncertain whether Eberl would want to take on the high-pressure role. The club could also leave the position vacant for a while as it figures out its new direction.
The U.S. Soccer Federation has appointed Oguchi Onyewu as the Vice President of Sporting. Onyewu, a former player and sporting executive, will work closely with U.S. Soccer’s Sporting Director Matt Crocker in supporting all sporting initiatives within the Federation. He will also play a prominent role in managing relationships with clubs and leagues in the United States and across the world, along with strengthening other stakeholder relationships. Onyewu's initial responsibilities will include assisting Crocker with the hiring of the next U.S. Men’s National Team head coach and driving increased funding for Youth and Extended National Teams.
US Soccer's new Sporting Director has revealed that Gregg Berhalter is a candidate for the US Men's National Team (USMNT) head coach position. The Sporting Director also addressed the future of both the men's and women's programs under his leadership.
The U.S. Soccer Federation has appointed Matt Crocker as the new Sporting Director. Crocker will oversee U.S. Soccer’s entire Sporting Department, focusing on the Men’s and Women’s National Team programs, Youth National Teams, and the Extended National Teams. He will start fulltime on August 2nd, but will immediately begin the process of hiring the head coach of the Men’s National Team and supporting the U.S. Women’s National Team general manager Kate Markgraf and USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski.