Roddy resigns as Charlton Technical Director to join Fifa
Roddy was the first senior off-field hire of the Thomas Sandgaard era
Written by Simon Austin — December 27, 2021
GED RODDY has resigned as Charlton’s Technical Director after 14 months to take up a key role with Fifa.
From January 1st, he will take up a lead role on Fifa’s Global Talent Development Scheme, which is about to be launched. Roddy joined Charlton in October 2020 and was the first senior off-field hire of the Thomas Sandgaard era.
The 58-year-old is regarded as the architect of the modern Academy system, having launched and then developed the Elite Player Performance Plan during his eight years at the Premier League, where he was Director of Youth and then Director of Football Development.
Roddy, who was awarded an MBE in 2000 for his contribution to sport in the UK, told TGG: “While I’ve loved working at Charlton, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity with Fifa.”
Speaking to the club’s official website he added: “I’ve had a brilliant time at Charlton, I’ve loved working with the staff, the players, Thomas and getting to know the fans, who are such an important part of this club.
“Charlton had been hollowed out before Thomas’ takeover and we’ve been able to build in a lot of infrastructure which was required. The club is in an exciting place with Johnnie in charge doing an excellent job and the great work Karen Hills and her team are doing.
“I’ll still be able to support in various capacities and I look forward to seeing the club continue to progress.”
Sandgaard added: “Ged has done a lot of important work during his time at the club and while we wish him the best for the future, I’m sure we’ll still see him around a lot as he’ll be helping us on upcoming projects.”
Following Roddy’s departure, Steve Gallen has been appointed as Charlton’s Director of Recruiting, while the owner’s son, Martin Sandgaard, has been appointed Director of Analysis.
Gallen joined the Addicks in 2017 and will “focus on bringing in and keeping the type of players that will help the club move forwards.”
Martin Sandgaard has been at Charlton since the departure of manager Nigel Adkins in October and will manage the club’s football analytics department. He had no previous experience in football, having worked for his father’s company Zynex Medical for the last 14 and-a-half years.
His most recent role with Zynex Medical was as Production and Supply Chain Manager
Club owner Thomas Sandgaard said: “Steve Gallen has done a lot of good work at this club and has an extensive network throughout the industry. He is the best negotiator I know and is a real asset to the club.
“Data analytics is an important part of football and we have some great staff in place to help with that. Martin has been at Charlton for more than two months, observing how we do things, and has struck up a good working relationship with our analysts.
“The team look at upcoming opposition and play an important role in helping our recruitment of players. The team have access to analyse as many as 12,000 players, which will be crucial in identifying players that will be helpful for us now and in the future.
“As we mentioned in the summer, we won’t just rely on analytics in recruitment, it is important to get a feel for a player as a person and to see them in action to make sure they are the right fit for the team. Martin will work alongside, and learn from, Steve Gallen and they’ll both report directly in to me.”
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