RIO FERDINAND SAYS he has spoken to Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward about the sporting director position the club are trying to fill.
United have long been keen on a structural change that would see the club hire someone to oversee football operations, allowing Woodward to focus on the commercial side.
Initially the club were thought to be hopeful of making an appointment ahead of the close-season transfer window, allowing the new hire to instigate necessary changes to the playing staff.
Despite plenty of speculation linking people with the role, things have gone cold in recent months and a recent report claimed the club have stalled on hiring someone, with Woodward set to remain in charge of transfers for the time being.
However, former United star Ferdinand has not been shy in declaring his desire for the position and says he has discussed the job with Woodward.
“I’ve always spoken to Ed since I left, anyway. I had that type of relationship with him,” Ferdinand told BBC Sportsweek.
“I’ve not seen him at a game, so all the chats I’ve had with him have been on the phone or I go and see him when I’m in London.
“I’m not the type to dilly-dally around. I’ve seen the stuff in the papers. ‘What’s that role about?’ I’ve asked that question – so yes, I have spoken to him.
“I’m very honest and Ed’s open and honest with me. Manchester United and the powers that be will decide as and when they are going to put someone into that role.
“If I am the person on that list and the person they are going to talk to, then that time will come.
“It’s nice to be on a list in such a responsible role at such a prestigious club. If the call comes I will say, ‘thank you very much for that’, but if that call doesn’t come, I’ll not lose sleep over it.”
- Omni
Please please please let this happen
I’m curious to know why it is a good thing to bring in another ex pro into a position that he has no experience in. Is it purely anyone is better than Woodward?
@Gareth Keenan: exactly you look at clubs around Europe like Dortmund ajax Porto and Lyon and these clubs produce players time and again, sell them on to bigger clubs for massive profits,would it not make sense to look their sporting directors and try and get them in who already have the experience to do the job and do it well
@Gareth Keenan: as Van Gaal said recently, Woodward knows nothing about football. I find it kind of admirable that he’s possibly recognising that, wanting to step back from that role and play with his strengths. Whether or not Ferdinand is the right fit for that role is another thing.
@Gareth Keenan: a sporting director is the go between the board and the manager while the Manager/Coach gets on with coaching the team lads! Ajax are the biggest club in Holland, they have scouts and sign up the best talent in Holland, therefore a sporting director is not the hardest job in the world.
If he’s half as good a sporting director as he was a player then he’ll have been twice the player than he’s sporting director
Great news..
Bluffer if the highest order.
@IrishOwl: he’s a good spoofer not a great spoofer
lol