New head of recruitment

[SuperSAINT]

Unsure if it’s the wording but seems to indicate Glover has left.

Edited 16 June, 2022 by SuperSAINT

[ecurnew02]

He was the key figure who brought Sancho to City’s academy (although I guess it didn’t mean much in the end). 

[SuperSAINT]

There are some crazy talented players here:

“Of the many talented schoolboys Shields has recruited at City, Southampton have just signed Gavin Bazunu, 20, the Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper who was on loan at Portsmouth last season. The club are also interested in signing Romeo Lavia, the 18-year-old City midfielder whom Shields recruited from Anderlecht in 2020.

Among others signed by Shields at City are Liam Delap, Finley Burns, Luke Mbete and Ben Knight who have both made first-team debuts under Pep Guardiola. The likes of Taylor Richards, now at Brighton, and Jayden Braaf and Jamie Brynoe-Gittens, both now at Borussia Dortmund, were all signed from City. Generating fees and training compensation payments for out of contract players is a key part of City’s academy strategy.”

[Dusic]

At this stage just an approach and unlikely to be joining this window if indeed he agrees to the move.

Great to show some intent though and this is a hugely key role that we need someone good in.

Seems Arsenal targetted him previously:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7653189/Arsenal-target-Manchester-City-talent-spotter-recruited-Jadon-Sancho-academy-revamp.html

Edited 16 June, 2022 by Dusic

[SuperSAINT]

Hey Siri: What size bag would somebody need, in-order to pack a McAtee, a Palmer, a Delap & a Lavia in?

[goodymatt]

This sounds quite promising. Would be great for our model to find the talent one step earlier in the chain if possible.

In the short term though, could this impact any relationship with City for immediate/near future targets?

[Suhari]

Ambition.

Presumably he's the replacement for Glover, who, presumably won't be leaving until after the transfer window.

Lots of 'presumably' here I know. But does seem the sort of recruitment we might make.

#shoddyAirbnb

[S-Clarke]

That's an interesting move for sure. He scouted Bazunu and also Lavia, who I think I saw we were interested in.

I wonder if those signs are an early indication that he's actually agreed to join us, but obviously nothing official can happen until he's completed his notice periods.

[egg]

7 hours ago, SuperSAINT said:

Unsure if it’s the wording but seems to indicate Glover has left.

It reads to me that Glover has left his role to join Leicester, and that it's unlikely that this fella will join this window. Not sure what that means for recruitment this window, but it seems a decent move if it happens. 

[Turkish]

Sounds a very good appointment. Reading between the lines here wonder if his job won’t change as such but some of the young players he’s bringing in will go straight/more quickly into our first team squad rather than younger squads like they do at city. 

[The Cat]

If this happens it's another forward step taken by Sports Republic to rebuild behind the scenes. I think Manjii alluded to more changes coming a few weeks ago, and this is the sort of appointment that could really pay dividends in the future.

It's going to take a while for SR to get everything in place but when they do we should see a huge positive impact.

 

[Wade Garrett]

I like this appointment.  Good back-office move.

[Dman]

On the face of it, this sounds a really good shrewd appointment.
 

However, slight reservations in that there is a big difference between picking the best youngsters, with unlimited funds, to sit in your academy. To having to find players who are PL ready on a pretty tight budget. 
 

But it’s a clear sign of SR’s intent and strategy. I like the sound of it. 

[Saint86]

More positive news, gives further clues about the direction we want to take, and hopefully with more of this it will start to dampen down the negativity amongst some of the fanbase. Still a rocky path ahead, but we seem to be laying some solid groundwork. 

Not sure how the "shambles" brigade will cope in the face of SR's / semmens' continued approach to improvements throughout the club though... 

Edited 17 June, 2022 by Saint86

[trousers]

16 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

hopefully...it will start to dampen down the negativity of some fans.

😂

You're new to these here parts, aren't you?  

[Give it to Ron]

13 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

More positive news, gives further clues about the direction we want to take, and hopefully with more of this it will start to dampen down the negativity of some fans.

Not sure how the "shambles" brigade will cope in the face of SR's / semmens' continued approach to improvements throughout the club though... 

Yes you are right he is doing another borderline miracle.

I am still waiting for you to explain why they didn’t announce the “shambles “ of Stephens and McCarthy renewals that I related that to but hid it in the retentions.

I agree this looks a very good appointment if it happens at the moment it’s just a rumour. I like this model of young players not getting game time  as long as it’s coupled with a bit of experienced players too. 
He can’t be any worse than Ross Wilson!

 

 

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

2 hours ago, Turkish said:

Sounds a very good appointment. Reading between the lines here wonder if his job won’t change as such but some of the young players he’s bringing in will go straight/more quickly into our first team squad rather than younger squads like they do at city. 

Yeah I agree. Plus it's a cunning plan - once we get him in place, we can then get all those city youngsters who see him as a father figure. He comes then all their talented youth follow 🙂

[Turkish]

5 minutes ago, Golac's Cunning Stunts said:

Yeah I agree. Plus it's a cunning plan - once we get him in place, we can then get all those city youngsters who see him as a father figure. He comes then all their talented youth follow 🙂

The pied piper of St Marys......

[Saint86]

6 minutes ago, Golac's Cunning Stunts said:

Yeah I agree. Plus it's a cunning plan - once we get him in place, we can then get all those city youngsters who see him as a father figure. He comes then all their talented youth follow 🙂

I think kompany's appointment at Burnley may scupper our plans of a mass city raid in all seriousness. But who knows how it will all turn out. Even getting a couple of promising youngsters (that can't make the first team breakthrough at top clubs), it would still be decent for a club like saints. 

Edited 17 June, 2022 by Saint86

[Saint86]

16 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

Yes you are right he is doing another borderline miracle.

I am still waiting for you to explain why they didn’t announce the “shambles “ of Stephens and McCarthy renewals that I related that to but hid it in the retentions.

I personally don't understand people's concerns over saints not making a song and dance over a couple of squad player contract renewals. It is as it should be to me - neither player is considered critical enough to warrant a press peice and interview etc. I'd be more worried if they had done the opposite - which would suggest that the plan was for macca and stephens to become key first team players.

On the whole macca forster point. I suspect the club had a wage / price point that they were willing to pay for an ageing back up keeper, forster wasn't prepared to take that cut - plus he had the option of a similar wage and squad football at a bigger club, and so we kept macca whilst getting in a new keeper. Wouldn't surprise me at all if equally forster had accepted and macca had moved on... But given no saints fan wanted either of them as first choice, surely it's ultimatley largely irrelevant - as we were pretty much always going to go and get a new keeper this window? And even if there is a short transition, that is what is happening. I just don't get the fuss over this. 

Edited 17 June, 2022 by Saint86

[Turkish]

3 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

I personally don't understand people's concerns over saints not making a song and dance over a couple of squad player contract renewals. It is as it should be to me - neither player is considered critical enough to warrant a press peice and interview etc. I'd be more worried if they had done the opposite - which would suggest that the plan was for macca and stephens to become key first team players.

On the whole macca forster point. I suspect the club had a wage / price point that they were willing to pay for an ageing back up keeper, forster wasn't prepared to take that cut - plus he had the option of a similar wage and squad football at a bigger club, and so we kept macca whilst getting in a new keeper. Ultimatley it's largely irrelevant as we were pretty much always going to go and get a new keeper. I just don't get the fuss over this. 

It's just weird. It's normal for every club to annouce contract extensions of first team players, we often do it even for academy players. It's a really strange thing to do to do to just completely ignore it. I cant ever remember us doing this before. 

[Give it to Ron]

18 minutes ago, Turkish said:

It's just weird. It's normal for every club to annouce contract extensions of first team players, we often do it even for academy players. It's a really strange thing to do to do to just completely ignore it. I cant ever remember us doing this before. 

We tend to announce youth signings on contracts how anyone can say this wasn’t hidden and unusual .

So our number 1 keeper and he is at the moment signs an extension yet nothing on the OS for months yep totally normal.

[trousers]

1 hour ago, Saint86 said:

I personally don't understand people's concerns over saints not making a song and dance over a couple of squad player contract renewals.

As Turkish says, people are curious as to why these two transfer renewals have been handled completely differently to almost every other contract renewal down the years. It's not about the fact that they didn't announce it, per se.

Edited 17 June, 2022 by trousers

[saintwbu]

Maybe they knew that both announcements would be followed by people abusing both players on social media and thought what’s the point? 

[trousers]

3 minutes ago, saintwbu said:

Maybe they knew that both announcements would be followed by people abusing both players on social media and thought what’s the point? 

Maybe. Maybe not.

[Convict Colony]

55 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

I think kompany's appointment at Burnley may scupper our plans of a mass city raid in all seriousness. But who knows how it will all turn out. Even getting a couple of promising youngsters (that can't make the first team breakthrough at top clubs), it would still be decent for a club like saints. 

I dont think he will be too successful there. 

I legitimately have followed his progress at Anderlecht and he had great backing from the club and he did an underwhelming job to be honest - they've probably done well to have him move on as the guy they replaced him with i think wont he league last year.  

[SuperSAINT]

 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

7 minutes ago, SuperSAINT said:

 

Impressive if it comes off. Wonder what our sales pitch was? Leaving a time like City for us is certainly a different challenge.

[Toadhall Saint]

Good stuff. 

[Toadhall Saint]

Just now, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Impressive if it comes off. Wonder what our sales pitch was? Leaving a time like City for us is certainly a different challenge.

Could be head of recruitment- sporting republic so not just saint’s 

[Dman]

4 hours ago, Turkish said:

It's just weird. It's normal for every club to annouce contract extensions of first team players, we often do it even for academy players. It's a really strange thing to do to do to just completely ignore it. I cant ever remember us doing this before. 

I can’t for the life of me remember where, but I’m sure I saw that the reason the club didn’t announce was because they were fearful of fan reaction… which in itself is completely bizzare

[SuperSAINT]

 

[Pilchards]

An absolute fantastic appointment.

Well done Saints for getting this one over the line, what a future we have by attracting some top youngsters to the club.

[skintsaint]

26 minutes ago, SuperSAINT said:

 

Promising but a big step up for him. Lets hope he can make it and get us some gems/bargains.

[The Cat]

Seems like an excellent appointment. Will also be useful to have a strong link with Man City as I would imagine it increases our chances of getting young players in from there on loan or even permanent deals over the coming years.

[Badger]

59 minutes ago, Pilchards said:

An absolute fantastic appointment.

Well done Saints for getting this one over the line, what a future we have by attracting some top youngsters to the club.

Haven't yet though... but it certainly looks a promising one if it happens. 

Reassuring that the new ownership are looking to be ambitious though.

[DT]

the worrying bit is that City want to keep him (and money talks). Hope we can get this one over the line as it is effectively many good transfers in one...

[Matthew Le God]

1 hour ago, DT said:

the worrying bit is that City want to keep him (and money talks). Hope we can get this one over the line as it is effectively many good transfers in one...

I doubt City will pay their head of academy recruitment more than Saints will offer for a head of 1st team recruitment role. Plus it is a step towards him getting such a role at a top club one day.

[HarvSFC]

Was the centre-back he picked up from us last summer any good? If so, bring him back too! 

[SuperSAINT]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10937817/Southampton-close-deal-hire-Manchester-City-youth-scouting-guru.html

[S-Clarke]

I do like this summer so far. It's somewhat refreshing to be involved with a club showing ambition. 

And showing ambition doesn't mean throwing zillions around either, just having engaged owners is enough.

Edited 21 June, 2022 by S-Clarke

[UpweySaint]

4 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

I do like this summer so far. It's somewhat refreshing to be involved with a club showing ambition. 

And showing ambition doesn't mean throwing zillions around either, just having engaged owners is enough.

This. Still work to go to improve key areas of the squad but on the surface a lot of the moves around player trading and staffing seem sensible. Sport Republic so actively pursuing other clubs also fits with this and gives a clear sense of direction where previously there had been an element of drift and stagnation - appreciate some may not support the multi club model.

[The Kraken]

12 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

I do like this summer so far. It's somewhat refreshing to be involved with a club showing ambition. 

And showing ambition doesn't mean throwing zillions around either, just having engaged owners is enough.

This is it for me. ‘Ambition’ is a word that gets thrown around a lot, as you say often the expectation of it is for the club to spend loads of money that they haven’t got on players. It’s not sustainable.

Having owners who are engaged and have obviously done an evaluation of the whole club is very refreshing. The coaching situation was known to most but is now being actioned. This chap in recruitment has obviously been working to different parameters with City, but we know that Saints are going to be looking at a lot of young players to come in, so perhaps he’s a really good fit for that. With SR’s background I’d have thought all scouting will be done on much more than the scout’s eye test, so there’s lots of small positives which will all hopefully make a difference. At the end of the day though, it’s the quality of the first team and their results, so proof is in the pudding. But yeah, so far some encouraging signs throughout the club.

Edited 21 June, 2022 by The Kraken

[VectisSaint]

Still a little bemused with this, clearly it's well advanced it would never have broken cover otherwise, but given Man City want to keep him is it impacting other business we would like to do with Citeh (obv did not impact Bazunu though).

[Barsiem]

16 minutes ago, VectisSaint said:

Still a little bemused with this, clearly it's well advanced it would never have broken cover otherwise, but given Man City want to keep him is it impacting other business we would like to do with Citeh (obv did not impact Bazunu though).

Don't see why it would unless we were underhand and disrespectful to Citeh in appointing him?  We don't dislike Liverpool for the way Sadio Mane or Lambert left. We dislike them for their actions in poaching VVD & Lallana!

[SuperSAINT]

Dan Sheldon’s report on Lavia featured this little morsel:

Good to get him in fairly early.  Going to be interesting to see if he also has a say on youth recruitment, too.

[S-Clarke]

This is a good appointment as he's highly rated with the growth of City's academy in recent years. Even if a lot don't make their first team, they make bucket loads on sales and said players go on to become a decent level in the main (Bazunu, Lavia, Sancho, Angelino, Denayer, Diaz, Luiz, Ihenacho to name a few) It's another somewhat ambitious move by us - attracting people already employed as per Selles, something we just didn't use to do.

[SuperSAINT]

 

[EBS1980]

Sounds like 3 days ago it was obvious he was off:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CfcjowqsmdX/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

 

[SuperSAINT]

 Hard to imagine he’s not played a part in others.