-
Emery and de Boer would be excellent choices, as would Koeman.
As for successful directors of football, how often do you see them move and replicate the success for which they have become known for?
At most clubs these men, they are pretty much all men, seem to have a long history in a number of roles at these clubs.
Someone like Giggs should be groomed to become a DoF at Man Utd.
jaw-
Why would Koeman leave Southampton for Everton?!
I would go for Emery over De Boer. He's managed Sevilla and Valencia and did a good job in both roles. De Boer has only managed Ajax and whilst I believe he could do the job, it would be more of a risk.
I'd bring Phil Neville back to the club as a DoF - he's well connected, speaks Spanish and though people castigate him I believe he's got a pretty solid knowledge of football.
-
I don't know why we don't have an informal system like they have in the states where those interested in a career in sports, management/coaching/etc, aren't brought in young and then start off in scouting or now statistics, cutting film analysis and then move up through the ranks of the organisation.
You'd be surprised how many GM's in american sports teams have been promoted from within and have travelled through the team's departments learning as they go. Doesn't seem to be an equivalent in England, though I'm assuming there must be one in Europe as DoF's are so prevalent over there.Might be the danger of relegation, and the tyranny of the all governing manager whose years of experience supersede a move to a more collaborative process. Plus usually it's the manager who'll go before the DoF/GM, so obviously would want to make sure that if they are sacked, they're sacked doing what they want to do..
Tenderloin
cornelius_blackfoot
decent list there...
I'd say Emery and De Boer would be the ones to get...
But suppose it also depends on the director of football, are there decent ones out there? @jaw, @Tenderloin, @Prole.?