Premier League set to announce new Director of Football

THE Premier League is poised to announce its new Director of Football, having completed interviews with the shortlisted candidates.

Mike Foster, who left to become chair of Professional Game Match Officials Ltd early last year, had held the role for three years, although it has now expanded significantly to take in youth development.

There has been a re-organisation of roles at the Premier League that also led to the departure of Director of Football Development Ged Roddy last September.

TGG has seen the job description for the Director of Football role. The successful candidate will have “operational management of the Football Department,” including “the strategy and implementation of plans and projects”. These will relate to:

• Football Operations: Chiefly player registrations and fixture scheduling.
• Football Relations: Focused on relationship management with The FA, EFL, PFA, LMA and Professional Game Match Officials as well as implementing a plan for player care.
• Technical Development: Including the introduction of Video Assistant Referees.
• Youth Development: Including the ongoing implementation of the Elite Player Performance Plan, the integrated coaching strategy across English football and education in Academies.

Executive search firm Nolan Partners have been leading the recruitment process. The role requires experience and expertise in youth development, regulatory matters and also credibility with the 20 Premier League clubs, making the potential pool of suitable candidates quite small.

Southampton’s Les Reed and Kevin Thelwell of Wolves were reportedly on the shortlist of candidates interviewed by the Premier League.