[Official Site] MLADEN SORMAZ APPOINTED AS SPORTING DIRECTOR

Can he scuba dive?

 

Ffs.....it don’t matter whether it’s a player a manager a CEO or a newly formed Director of sport, some on here put knifes in before they even start in job...... get a life you saddo!

 

I agree with you.

But can you please explain the logic behind this particular appointment, having regard to our needs, his skills and the removal of the interim sporting director?

Or should we just go along with everything without opinion, and wait and see how it turns out?

 

Let’s flip the question round. What benefit is there to the board in appointing someone who they don’t believe will do a better job than Bobby? Bobby would have been cheaper, and would have given the board a much bigger buffer in terms of time to get improvement.
You can only surmise that he’s interviewed the best and has a 3 or 5 year plan that aligns with the club’s.

 

Quite the character assassination of this bloke happening on Facebook.

 

Don’t shoot the messenger

 

I did read somewhere earlier that he’s known James Cryne for quite some time, which probably explains things if true.

Doesn’t sit right with me this appointment.

 

I know. Your analysis (without logarithm) is probably correct.

It does make you wonder about the mindsets of those making the appointment though. And whether their insights align with ours as supporters.

 

Seriously sam. We can do without posts like that. Stirring it without real basis. Cos that's what it does. And spreads like wildfire whether true or not. You chose to add his comments when actually the link would have been fine. On it's own. And paints a totally different picture. I chose to read it most dont and just take the post at face value. I assume just like yourself.
What was your impression before posting I'd ask.

 

Something doesn't feel right but will see how he goes.

 

I don’t think they can entirely, because our supporters have a wide range of opinions across every topic associated with the club. And let’s be honest some of them are thicker than mince.

But as owners of a club you have to:
a) want to not lose your investment
b) be associated with success

Therefore I can see why you would take the cheap option, as it aligns with point A, but if it’s not going to be anywhere near point B then it’s the wrong decision and in this case I think they’ve clearly gone for b.

 

I would have thought that a and b are not either/or. You can have both or bugger up both- they would tend to come hand in hand.

We'll have to see.

Meanwhile Bobby is well and truly shafted.

Bobby actual quote on Sporting Director degree: “I had a choice to make five years ago whether I took on the coaching side or this side. I think I offer a great skillset. I have made no secret in the last few years to the board that this is where I want to go.”

Not an actual response from the board – “we’ve found someone who’s got a more impressive computer than Cryne Junior, we’re going to use that now, so Bobby naff off back to the kiddies in that building next to the practice pitches. Thanks for your interim efforts. Here’s a video on how you can improve your interview technique.”

 

Don’t know too much about him but I do know he is a personal friend / associate of James Cryne

 

This has business card swapping at some Data Analytics conference written all over it.

I'll give Mr Sormaz my backing and see how he gets on but it doesn't feel like the right move to me. We already have data people working in the recruitment side. Shouldn't the Sporting Director role be more to do with negotiations and working with the coach than an extension of that?

Plus, a data bod having lead influence on playing style and so tactics doesn't feel right.

 

Here’s another potential angle:
Maybe they had already decided to appoint him prior to announcing the post but as he can’t start yet (everyone seems to have missed that) they asked Bobby to do the one window.
So many unknowns and assumptions by all of us.

 

Or it could have been: Bobby we have this guy with huge knowledge about the ‘other’ stuff, let’s bring him, you can learn that side from him then you’re the complete package.
That’s not a bad carrot for an ambitious person

 

I think that in this type of appointment there's a balance to be struck between appointing a "football" person and someone with a modern approach to things. It just feels like this bloke is too far on the bullsh1t end of the spectrum, the same way that someone like Harry Redknapp would be too far the other way.

Hope I'm proved wrong like.

 

Just hope he can pick up a phone and barter. I don't think the Barry Frys of this world will be impressed by how many 'hackathons' or academic papers this guy has done.

 

Excellent summary.

 

Aren't you the dude who didn't know that DOF qualifications existed, never mind that Bobby has a Masters in it?

"Other stuff"? Does this dude have any knowledge of BFC at all? So he brings in an algorithm (sorry DS) and that trumps everything else that Bobby has studied upon for years, about the actual job itself?

And Bobby has to learn from him. About what exactly? What BFC are about?

Here are the requirements:

• Represent the club and the community it serves by operating in a friendly, positive, and professional manner at all times.
• Be a committed and visible presence at the stadium and club offices, mentoring and developing the club staff.
• Encourage and support the use of analytics and data across the club.
• Negotiate incoming and outgoing transfers and player contract offers.
• Work with the Heads of department to further improve all aspects of the club. You will support the men’s and women’s coaching teams, youth academy, recruitment, sports science, and medical services departments.
• Work with the existing coaches to create and implement a game model and coaching methodology to be used across the club.
• You will be responsible for ensuring the vision is implemented on the grass and monitoring and refining the processes over time.
• Innovate, taking inspiration from the best of what can be learned from clubs around the world and turning those ideas into solutions the club can use to outperform our budget.
• Perform any adhoc duties as deemed appropriate by the club

How much of the "other stuff" does this guy have an advantage over Bobby with? Where does his huge knowledge apply beyond merely "encouraging" analytics?