10 Mar 2021 12:17:31
Huge news. We have hired a DoF and a technical director.

John Murtagh has been promoted to DoF with Darren Fletcher taking on the TD role.

What do people think of this?

1.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 12:58:02
Wow, that just came out of nowhere.

2.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 13:09:49
It's a step in the right direction at least.

We've been crying out for this for years and now that it's happened we're complaining about the way we've done it. Get a grip.

There's a long term view to take as it won't all happen overnight.

The candidates might not be the best in class but the positions are now there. The people in those positions will either do well or they won't do well and will eventually be upgraded.

3.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 13:50:21
What's your view on the appointments the club have announced 077.

{Ed077's Note - don't know much about them and they have no previous experience in their roles to judge them on completely. But Fletcher was said to have been really impressive in his coaching roles he did at the club. I am holding judgements on them just yet.

4.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 13:56:39
Personally I think it’s great news. As other have said, it’s a step in the right direction. It’s something the fans have been asking for for a while now and we should give them time to prove their worth.

Maybe some of the aforementioned “better options” weren’t available or willing to come to us, or maybe they wanted the appointments made in advance of the transfer window to avoid another ‘saga’ and to actually do our business early and efficiently for once.

I will give these people time to show what they can do and will give the club the chance to prove this new structure is indeed what we’ve been waiting for.

5.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 13:57:17
This was from a piece written in 2019 about potential DOFs.

John Murtagh
The man currently responsible for youth development at the clubs Carrington Academy, Murtagh has overseen the emergence of some of United’s finest talents in recent seasons - including Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Scott Mctominary.

Originally starting out at sports scientist at Everton under David Moyes - Murtagh worked his way through the ranks at Goodison Park to become Head of Performance at the club, before departing Goodison for a role with the Premier League back in 2012.

But just over a year later, Murtagh was reunited with the Scotsman when he joined him at United - and is the last appointment still at the club, outside the playing staff, from the Moyes reign.

Despite not being a familiar name with a lot of United fans, let alone football fans in general, the former Everton man is reportedly one of the leading names for the job with Woodward supposedly keen on an internal appointement.

6.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 14:35:52
I this can only be a positive move by the club and at the very least puts a structure in place for the future with each person now having very defined roles. This means that hopefully we can start hitting the ground for the summer and not be caught behind with everything going through Woodward. maybe even see more than one deal be worked on at once!
Any story i have seen that mentions John Murtagh it is always very positive about him, forward thinkig and does have links to the youth set up which will hopefully help that transition through for them alongside him bringing outside players in. Could be a good move, if not then the role is at least defined for the next incumbent.
Fletcher appears to have always been earmarked for this sort of role, again he appears to have made a great impression in the time that he has been with the club and looks to have a managerial/ strategic head on him. similar to him as a player.
Judge was always going to have a role and this feels like the expected one, a Woodward stalwart and he was not going to leave him behind.
Perhaps not the big names that we were all hoping for but definitely a move in the right direction. Now let's give them time before we tear them apart.

7.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 12:40:49
Anyone have any info on these guys, their responsibilities and whether they are actually suitable for the job?

8.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 12:42:02
Well Matt Judge is still incharge of negotiations so it feels like a sideways step.

Be interested to know Ed002's thoughts.

9.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 12:52:55
Football director or director of football, is there a difference?
Technical director role in Fletch. Matt Judge reports to Murtagh now but a new title of director of football negotiations.
Not sure what to make of it, ed002 what are your thoughts on it?

{Ed002's Note - I know nothing of Fletcher but I understand he has done well at coaching - I am not sure what his responsibilities. Murtagh was the obvious in house choice who has done very well with the youth system and is liked by all as far as I know. However, there are better options from outside who have experience and the correct contacts.}

10.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 13:11:01
Ed002, what is your opinion of this? Good appointments or more amateur appointments?

{Ed002's Note - We will need to wait and see.}

11.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 13:44:17
To me it sounds like the club have appointed yes men.

Ed002, what us your view of the new DOf and the technical director?

12.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 13:48:49
Murtaghs title is Football Director. Are his responsibilities the same as what a Director of Football would do?

13.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 22:20:02
The job spec is the most important thing to understand before anyone can form an opinion i think.
Its hard to know if someone is right for the role without knowing what the role is and what it entails.
U wish them the best of luck.
I like fletcher always have. Great character and good determination. I've no what his new role is but if he brings the same work ethic and attitude that he displayed as a player to the job then that will stand him in good stead.