Scott appointed as Rotherham's first Director of Football
Rob Scott: Head of Recruitment since 2019
Written by Training Ground Guru — January 19, 2024
ROTHERHAM UNITED have appointed Rob Scott as their first Director of Football as part of a “behind-the-scenes restructuring."
Scott represented the club as a player before returning as Head of Recruitment in 2019.
Rotherham said the “newly-created position” would act primarily “as a conduit between departments, both football and administrational, and ensure that a synergy is maintained when a player or member of staff leaves or is replaced, negating the risk of any deviation from the way in which the football club wants to employ its strategy moving forwards.”
In a statement, the club added: “Rob’s new role will have a particular focus on assisting the delivery of long-term projects encompassing matters at the club’s training ground at Roundwood, the continued development of the club’s Academy provision and the review of the off-field infrastructure.”
The need for a “new model on the football side” had become evident after Matt Taylor's sacking as manager in October, Rotherham explained.
“It was unanimously agreed by the Board that Rob – who has not only played a significant role off-the-field beyond his recruitment position over recent years, but also has a real understanding of the club dating back to the success he enjoyed here as a player – should be formally given responsibilities that will ensure the continued protection of the club’s DNA and provide a clear link between the football and non-football staff across all departments,” the statement added.
“It has been agreed by all parties that this new model will give us the best possible opportunity to ensure that people in roles across the club are able to maximise their potential in their own areas of expertise moving forwards.
“Rob’s appointment will not impact on his previous position at the football club and he will continue to oversee the recruitment of players, assisted by his network of scouts.
“Nor will the appointment of a Director of Football detract from our Head Coach Leam Richardson continuing to have a strong influence on any players that are recruited, tactics that are employed or team selections, rather, it will ensure continuity in the ‘type’ of player and person recruited by the football club moving forwards.”
The appointment means 18 of the 24 Championship clubs now have a Director of Football or equivalent.
CHAMPIONSHIP CLUBS WITH SPORTING DIRECTOR (OR EQUIVALENT)
- Birmingham City: Craig Gardner (Technical Director)
- Blackburn Rovers: Gregg Broughton (Director of Football)
- Bristol City: Brian Tinnion (Technical Director)
- Cardiff City: -
- Coventry City: -
- Huddersfield Town: Mark Cartwright (Sporting Director)
- Hull City: -
- Ipswich Town: Gary Probert (Director of Football Operations)
- Leeds United: Gretar Steinsson (Technical Director)
- Leicester City: Jon Rudkin (Director of Football)
- Middlesbrough: Kieran Scott (Head of Football)
- Millwall: Alex Aldridge (Director of Football Operations)
- Norwich City: Ben Knapper (Sporting Director)
- Plymouth Argyle: Neil Dewsnip (Director of Football)
- Preston North End: -
- QPR: -
- Rotherham United: Rob Scott (Director of Football)
- Sheffield Wednesday: -
- Southampton: Jason Wilcox (Director of Football)
- Stoke City: Ricky Martin (Technical Director)
- Sunderland: Kristjaan Speakman (Sporting Director)
- Swansea City: Paul Watson (Sporting Director)
- Watford: Gianluca Nani (Sporting Director)
- West Brom: -
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