Should Hearts Continue to Have a Director of Football

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

Whilst we are at it, since the first poll is not that simple in reality

[Beast Boy]

Craig has done a fantastic job, and unlike some I think we are the perfect size of a football club to have a Director of Football. ?

[jr ewing]

Good recruitment officer needed instead 

[gnasher75]

I want to vote 'yes and it could be Craig Levein as long as he is not also manager'. Trying to combine the two roles is too much for anyone.

 

The crucial thing is that the director of football should be there to support the manager with recruitment and to oversee the academy etc but should not be the manager's boss.

[Nookie Bear]

1 minute ago, gnasher75 said:

I want to vote 'yes and it could be Craig Levein as long as he is not also manager'. Trying to combine the two roles is too much for anyone.

 

The crucial thing is that the director of football should be there to support the manager with recruitment and to oversee the academy etc but should not be the manager's boss.

 

Spot on.

 

Problem we seem to have now is that so much is centred around Levein that moving him on would cause too much upheaval, so we may as well stick with him.

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

7 minutes ago, Nookie Bear said:

 

Spot on.

 

Problem we seem to have now is that so much is centred around Levein that moving him on would cause too much upheaval, so we may as well stick with him.

Not throwing the baby out with the bath water. But so many dilemmas.

 

Who would he work with or vice versa that the fans would be happy with?

 

How does Budge get herself out of this? 

 

Would the academy suffer for his loss?

 

Who would care as much as he does? Only a closed mind could not believe his life is Hearts, could we find a dedicated replacement that parents trust?

[The Mercer Takeover]

Levein anywhere near our club is a recipe for disaster in employing a new manager who wants to do his own thing.

 

Full Levein removal required, no half measures.  

[MTS1874]

As long as he doesn’t interfere with the Head Coach I’d be happy for him to return to the DOF role. 

[chuck berrys hairline]

If we want to progress as a club and an academy I suggest getting someone in from Europe as DoF as the model is more common on the continent. Also help pick up coaches that are best suited for the job and not his mates/ex players/ yes men. No point putting all this effort time and money into the academy to have it run incompetently or scrapped altogether

[Bull's-eye]

As not one poster on here has the slightest clue what goes on at the club this poll is about as much use as.......well.........all the other ones ??????

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

11 minutes ago, Artful Dodger said:

As not one poster on here has the slightest clue what goes on at the club this poll is about as much use as.......well.........all the other ones ??????

Government hasn't got a clue, how did they expect the people too, but we got a vote .......Brexit

 

Feel free to ignore though, its not mandatory to vote or reply

 

[Phil Dunphy]

I’d love to know the percentage of successful football clubs around the world who operate with a DoF. 

[Bull's-eye]

1 minute ago, Phil Dunphy said:

I’d love to know the percentage of successful football clubs around the world who operate with a DoF. 

 

[Phil Dunphy]

1 minute ago, Artful Dodger said:

 

 

No surprise to see you offer the square root of **** all to a thread. 

 

Predictable. 

[Gorgie_Rules]

I can’t see there be a time when we don’t operate without someone in between the board/Budge and the ‘manager’. The only way the director of football role will be ditched is if we bring someone in to do the role that Dempster does at Hibs and rebrand the name of the go between. 

 

I personally think Levein is the ideal candidate for a DoF role, his managing days appear to be over but he knows the club inside out and is clued up and well connected in the game. For as long as he is at the club though, with no matter how much of a back seat, we’ll never be able to unite the support, some fans just simply don’t like him.

[Gnjambo16]

1 hour ago, Glib and Shameless Crier said:

Craig has done a fantastic job, and unlike some I think we are the perfect size of a football club to have a Director of Football. ?

A fantastic job hmm what does that make Steve Clarke’s efforts then ?

[Locky]

Not opposed to a DoF, or Craig being DoF, but I fail to see the point in us having a DoF and a manager being the same person.

 

I know it's nothing more than the titles that make the difference here still, but it bugs me.

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

1 minute ago, Locky said:

Not opposed to a DoF, or Craig being DoF, but I fail to see the point in us having a DoF and a manager being the same person.

 

I know it's nothing more than the titles that make the difference here still, but it bugs me.

Having 2 roles is compromising, bitter recent experience myself. Not a great place to be

[Beast Boy]

15 minutes ago, Gnjambo16 said:

A fantastic job hmm what does that make Steve Clarke’s efforts then ?

 

Not sure. Where has he been Director of Football?

[Byyy The Light]

Be happy for Craig to go back to a role as Director of football.

 

The biggest problem with the whole thing is the media use it to sh*t stir and there are people who just hate him so much that they don't believe he's anything other than a puppet master.

 

The key for the role to work is for the DoF not to be the Head Coach's boss, whether folk believe that to be the case is another matter.  I think the bootroom concept is ill advised though and I'd rather have someone come in as Head Coach and bring their own team with them if they want them in place.

 

Having Craig there as a constant to brief the incoming guy and their team on academy prospects etc would work well imo.

[jr ewing]

Staying means more of the same next season. No from me. 

[From Perth to Paisley]

For me, he started well as DoF but latterly failed. 

 

He explained the role as being someone who could ensure continuity of the playing squad when managers changed. That didn't happen. When we went from Neilson to Cathro and then Levein we had to tear up the squad. He also signed off on several long term signings that have been failures, Oshaniwa, Sammon and Martin.

 

Martin particularly emphasises the point. He backed Cathro brought him in and then bombed him out when he took over. He described him as not his kind of player. He had previously  described the DoF role as being there to stop exactly that happening.

[portobellojambo1]

2 hours ago, Glib and Shameless Crier said:

Craig has done a fantastic job, and unlike some I think we are the perfect size of a football club to have a Director of Football. ?

 

It is all about opinions, and reality is that whatever way anyone votes on a poll like this it ain't going to have much of an impact on how things are done. While I respect your opinion above to me the role of Director of Football is effectively doubling up on having a Finance Director and a Human Resources team in place. The actual level of football business we are doing money wise doesn't need a specific person to be employed in the role of Director of Football. The football side needs a manager to look after the first team with a couple of coaches, other coaches to look after the younger teams and make sure they are playing their football in a way which help make sure stepping up from level to level isn't hugely difficult, and a good and effective scouting system. On the board of directors I'd assume there is someone who in business terms is familiar with how a business operates and who would be in a position to make sure the staff dealing with HR (employees) requirements are familiar with all the ins and outs. I'd say I'd be slightly more inclined to say that at a club where someone coming in might be looking for an astronomical salary, a massive cut of off field profits, specialised sponsorship deals etc and similarly players going out would be leaving for shit loads of money then someone with an in depth knowledge of finance would be of assistance. Does that by definition make them a Director of Football, who knows really. I don't think you need to have an in depth knowledge of football to know if what a player wants is fair and if what another team is offering for one of our players is fair.

Edited May 29, 2019 by portobellojambo1

[Jamhammer]

57 minutes ago, Gorgie_Rules said:

I can’t see there be a time when we don’t operate without someone in between the board/Budge and the ‘manager’. The only way the director of football role will be ditched is if we bring someone in to do the role that Dempster does at Hibs and rebrand the name of the go between. 

 

I personally think Levein is the ideal candidate for a DoF role, his managing days appear to be over but he knows the club inside out and is clued up and well connected in the game. For as long as he is at the club though, with no matter how much of a back seat, we’ll never be able to unite the support, some fans just simply don’t like him.

Get where you are coming from but if the team are winning things and playing better football it will be in spite of Craig Levein for the naysayers.

If we got a new manager in and things didn't improve it would be because of him.

[UcheGang]

Seems to do well with academy but end of the day he oversees all recruitment and thst has failed massively in recent years.

 

he is past it. 

 

Time to move on.

[UcheGang]

2 hours ago, Glib and Shameless Crier said:

Craig has done a fantastic job, and unlike some I think we are the perfect size of a football club to have a Director of Football. ?

On what basis!?!?!?

[sadj]

2 hours ago, gnasher75 said:

I want to vote 'yes and it could be Craig Levein as long as he is not also manager'. Trying to combine the two roles is too much for anyone.

 

The crucial thing is that the director of football should be there to support the manager with recruitment and to oversee the academy etc but should not be the manager's boss.

 

2 hours ago, Nookie Bear said:

 

Spot on.

 

Problem we seem to have now is that so much is centred around Levein that moving him on would cause too much upheaval, so we may as well stick with him.

 

This is a good point one a few have made regularly , spreading himself too thin. My thoughts are:

 

The size of both jobs is immense. With both roles - first team matters rely on good info from and good coaching from the team - although I like AM , JD and LF I feel are not good enough and this has a detrimental effect on the team. I would like to see a restructuring of the coaching team and a potential successor brought in this year as part of that coaching change in order to then look for Craig to solely go back upstairs next year and leave a good squad , have continuity and the new head coaches ideas to have been bled in over the season....

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

7 minutes ago, sadj said:

 

 

This is a good point one a few have made regularly , spreading himself too thin. My thoughts are:

 

The size of both jobs is immense. With both roles - first team matters rely on good info from and good coaching from the team - although I like AM , JD and LF I feel are not good enough and this has a detrimental effect on the team. I would like to see a restructuring of the coaching team and a potential successor brought in this year as part of that coaching change in order to then look for Craig to solely go back upstairs next year and leave a good squad , have continuity and the new head coaches ideas to have been bled in over the season....

I know someone who might agree with that  ?

[sadj]

3 minutes ago, Sir Gio said:

I know someone who might agree with that  ?

???‍♂️??

[Johnny Sandiego]

2 hours ago, Phil Dunphy said:

I’d love to know the percentage of successful football clubs around the world who operate with a DoF. 

I think pretty much every major football club has either a DOF or Sporting Director in some form. All the major euro teams do anyway.

[Johnny Sandiego]

For me in the modern game a DOF, Sporting Director or whatever it might get called is essential. 

 

The first team coach needs to have 100% focus on first team affairs, from the training ground to match day.

 

These days contracts are constantly being negotiated as we've seen with the amount of players we signed close season and then the work to get key players on longer deals. Likewise new first team and youth players are always being scouted throughout the season. 

 

To have the 2 roles seperate is needed if we are to compete going forward. Every major team has this set up and even at our level its an advantage.

[soonbe110]

30 minutes ago, sadj said:

 

 

This is a good point one a few have made regularly , spreading himself too thin. My thoughts are:

 

The size of both jobs is immense. With both roles - first team matters rely on good info from and good coaching from the team - although I like AM , JD and LF I feel are not good enough and this has a detrimental effect on the team. I would like to see a restructuring of the coaching team and a potential successor brought in this year as part of that coaching change in order to then look for Craig to solely go back upstairs next year and leave a good squad , have continuity and the new head coaches ideas to have been bled in over the season....

Watch this space I’d say. 

[Haringshairband]

I voted yes it should be Levein. I also voted for Levein to stay on as manager. The reasoning behind this is he was tasked with sorting out the Cathro mess and given a 3 year contract. I'd like to see him do that (which I think he will) and then move back upstairs to concentrate on the role of Director. I'm all about stability and long term planning. Must be an age thing.

 

Edited as I remembered a month or so ago I said if Levein doesn't leave, I won't be getting a season ticket. I have since reavaluated.

Edited May 29, 2019 by Haringshairband

[siegementality]

Can you add a yes but the DoF should not also be the manager option. Thanks.

[JamboGraham]

2 hours ago, Phil Dunphy said:

I’d love to know the percentage of successful football clubs around the world who operate with a DoF. 

 

Can't say for the whole world but in Europe it's a very common position and almost universal amongst top tier clubs in the bigger leagues. Once you move down to the lesser leagues (including ours) it's usually just the larger clubs that have them. At the moment Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen all have a DOF structure. It's principally related to the volume of football related employees first and foremost. There are various job titles out there Head of Football Operations, Director of Football Operations, etc. It's all the same thing.

 

I think the most confused thing about the role, particularly in Scotland and almost certainly with Hearts is that the DOF is not the direct line manager of the person with overall responsibility for the 1st team. That person reports directly to the Chief Exec/Chair (depending on structure at the club).

 

 

[Bridge of Djoum]

2 hours ago, Phil Dunphy said:

I’d love to know the percentage of successful football clubs around the world who operate with a DoF. 

So get off your arse, actually it’s a perfect job for sitting down.. and find out! Do some research,! Really not that difficult if you’d “ love” to know. 

[Kiwidoug]

RN said it was great so it's a yes from me.  Leaves the coach to concentrate on the football.  Dont know how CL can do both.  Would love to see Naismith as player/manager.

[Paolo]

If we are have a traditional manager, and not a coach, then no.   

 

The DoF was there for when we appointed Neilson, where we were pro told he was a coach and not a manager, meaning he could concentrate on coaching, rather than worry about scouting, and negotiating with players.   

[Bazzas right boot]

Yes, but CL shouldn't be both DoF and coach/ manager. 

Edited May 29, 2019 by Olly Lee's left boot

[fabienleclerq]

There should just be a yes option rather than CL being in both. 

 

You have directors for key parts of any business so why not football. I do think we have strayed from done of the positives we heard from the club regarding the role though. In particular the young teams and first teams playing style. 

[sadj]

14 minutes ago, Olly Lee's left boot said:

Yes, but CL shouldn't be both DoF and coach/ manager. 

Seems to be the recognised common ground I’d say. I think maybe people are starting to see that the size of both jobs is huge and for one person to do it is incredibly difficult. As @soonbe110 watch this space

[Phil Dunphy]

43 minutes ago, Bridge of Djoum said:

So get off your arse, actually it’s a perfect job for sitting down.. and find out! Do some research,! Really not that difficult if you’d “ love” to know. 

 

See the post below? That's the kind of response I was looking for.

 

Not the argument that you're constantly looking for.

 

45 minutes ago, JamboGraham said:

 

Can't say for the whole world but in Europe it's a very common position and almost universal amongst top tier clubs in the bigger leagues. Once you move down to the lesser leagues (including ours) it's usually just the larger clubs that have them. At the moment Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen all have a DOF structure. It's principally related to the volume of football related employees first and foremost. There are various job titles out there Head of Football Operations, Director of Football Operations, etc. It's all the same thing.

 

I think the most confused thing about the role, particularly in Scotland and almost certainly with Hearts is that the DOF is not the direct line manager of the person with overall responsibility for the 1st team. That person reports directly to the Chief Exec/Chair (depending on structure at the club).

 

 

 

Interesting, thanks for that. 

[allystrachan]

I’d be quite happy with Levein to be DOF as long as his remit is to develop the academy, sign the players the new manager identifies & maybe even helps with the day to day management of all non 1st team coaching staff.

 

It should be clearly noted that the DOF has no say in match day squads & tactics. 

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

Bright side for Craig.  One job he seems to be winning at

[Guest]

1 hour ago, allystrachan said:

I’d be quite happy with Levein to be DOF as long as his remit is to develop the academy, sign the players the new manager identifies & maybe even helps with the day to day management of all non 1st team coaching staff.

 

It should be clearly noted that the DOF has no say in match day squads & tactics. 

 

This was clearly noted loads of times by Neilson, Cathro, Levein and Budge.

Edited May 29, 2019 by Guest

[Bazzas right boot]

Bring back Vlad as DoF. 

 

 

[Jodami]

I like the DoF and head coach model but the same person doing it atm is obviously the reaction to Cathro. DoF should not actually be on the board but should report directly to it. They should advise on transfers which Levein claimed he didn't, I could never understand that. There needs to be a clearer definition of the role going forward.

[Hectormasson]

5 hours ago, Gnjambo16 said:

A fantastic job hmm what does that make Steve Clarke’s efforts then ?

To many on here Craig levein can do no wrong "  let's give him next season at least up to Christmas ' if not in top four maybe time to go, hopefully semi final again early,. ? Personally I'd like him and his helpers replaced now  ! But it ain't happening,I'm not alone in thinking this many hearts fans want him out , and new man in ,its a new dawn and time for change ,we cant afford a league season as bad ,6th was a disgrace !!!!!!!!

[Guest]

27 minutes ago, Jodami said:

I like the DoF and head coach model but the same person doing it atm is obviously the reaction to Cathro. DoF should not actually be on the board but should report directly to it. They should advise on transfers which Levein claimed he didn't, I could never understand that. There needs to be a clearer definition of the role going forward.

 

I like the Director of Football is on the board. The more football men on the board for me the better. It's either that or bean counters and business people. Having someone like Levein there should mean all decisions are made with an eye on the outcomes for the football side of things. The football side has a voice basically.

[Forever Hearts]

6 hours ago, The Mercer Takeover said:

Levein anywhere near our club is a recipe for disaster in employing a new manager who wants to do his own thing.

 

Full Levein removal required, no half measures.  

Exactly. Yes, we were unlucky on Saturday but ultimately it was just another failure/defeat to add to his lenghty losers CV. It's time to go.