Topic: The Men in Suits behind the scenes

[newterp]

Calling them lunatics kind of steps on your post

And there were and are plenty of people who argue agaisnt the use of analytics at the club fans, journos, pundits, podcasters etc etc ... and as soon as we have a transfer that flops we'll be hearing it all again

and of course - we (and every other club - analytics or not) will have flops.

[Eeyore]

Calling them lunatics kind of steps on your post

And there were and are plenty of people who argue agaisnt the use of analytics at the club fans, journos, pundits, podcasters etc etc ... and as soon as we have a transfer that flops we'll be hearing it all again

That simply isn't true. Football has always had analysts.

We had Football's greatest analyst in Geoff Twentyman. The difference was that he was called a scout and reported to a proper football man.

We now have a situation were we have an un-blinkered approach and Klopp basically runs the roost.

As Klopp says every signing is down to him.

If you cant see the difference between that and previous managers and previous regimes then I give up.

[Eeyore]

and of course - we (and every other club - analytics or not) will have flops.

Flops yes.

Recruiting Suarez and Carroll in the same window or signing Balotelli when the manager had already ruled out a deal is fucked up.

It is inexcusable.

[jooneyisdagod]

That simply isn't true. Football has always had analysts.

We had Football's greatest analyst in Geoff Twentyman. The difference was that he was called a scout and reported to a proper football man.

We now have a situation were we have an un-blinkered approach and Klopp basically runs the roost.

As Klopp says every signing is down to him.

If you cant see the difference between that and previous managers and previous regimes then I give up.

You're mixing up analysts and analytics here. While the underlying principles of both are highly similar, these terms are being used in a particular context where they have markedly different meanings. So it's really disingenuous to use those terms interchangeably as you have done.

[Chris~]

That simply isn't true. Football has always had analysts.

We had Football's greatest analyst in Geoff Twentyman. The difference was that he was called a scout and reported to a proper football man.

We now have a situation were we have an un-blinkered approach and Klopp basically runs the roost.

As Klopp says every signing is down to him.

If you cant see the difference between that and previous managers and previous regimes then I give up.

Wait. You think Klopp decides every signing and it's all down to him? Even players like Grujic who we were tracking before Klopp signed? I think you're misunderstanding the situation 

[Chris~]

That and custom leather chap makers 

Hope your new employers are as welcoming over that sort of thing. 

[Suareznumber7]

The difference was that he was called a scout and reported to a proper football man.

What exactly is a proper football man?  Does Edwards not fall under that category?

[Pete1977LFC]

I know very little about the guy but I guess we'll get to know him better in the coming years.

Klopp seems happy enough though so I'll not lose any sleep over this appointment.

[Mactavish]

I know very little about the guy but I guess we'll get to know him better in the coming years.

Klopp seems happy enough though so I'll not lose any sleep over this appointment.

I'm the same as you in that I know very little of him either mate. On the flipside I'm not going to wax lyrical about him either because Klopp has given him a bit of praise. I can't really think of Klopp not giving anybody praise at the club when pressed - Benteke and Balotelli included.

I'm not ripping into the appointment and neither am I hailing it but I've slight concerns that Klopp’s good work may have blinded some into thinking that this lad is the dog's, though.

Would love to see what signings he's been instrumental in since he's been here as I think that would maybe give us all a bit more insight into his credentials.

[RayPhilAlan]

I'm the same as you in that I know very little of him either mate. On the flipside I'm not going to wax lyrical about him either because Klopp has given him a bit of praise. I can't really think of Klopp not giving anybody praise at the club when pressed - Benteke and Balotelli included.

I'm not ripping into the appointment and neither am I hailing it but I've slight concerns that Klopp’s good work may have blinded some into thinking that this lad is the dog's, though.

Would love to see what signings he's been instrumental in since he's been here as I think that would maybe give us all a bit more insight into his credentials.

Firmino, Origi, Can and Mane were the ones named in the OP

[Mactavish]

Firmino, Origi, Can and Mane were the ones named in the OP

The cynic in me tells me that there may be quite a few others with some who are not quite as eye-catching as those ones. It's normal for anybody to get signings wrong its just that I'd be interested to see a definitive list if there is one that is clear.

[newterp]

The cynic in me tells me that there may be quite a few others with some who are not quite as eye-catching as those ones. It's normal for anybody to get signings wrong its just that I'd be interested to see a definitive list if there is one that is clear.

Good job on being a cynic.

[McrRed]

Great input.

Saw this comment and came scurrying over to see what the great input was.
Nope. Just you being cynical.

Feels like this topic is done now until mid December and the Director Of Great Strategy, Buyer Of Luxury Un Known Strikers topic is opened.

Or he gets caught in a fake sheikh sting...

[riismeister]

Kudos.

[kloppismydad]

We're just characters in Michael Edwards' simulation.

[Gerry Attrick]

This lad is like Monchi but better. Ask yourself who would've done a better job in the last 2 years. We should be worried about losing him!

[Caston]

Seems he is doing a very good job. Fair play

[Passmaster Molby]

He's hitting it out of the park consistently right now, keep it up lad.

[Dim Glas]

I love this way of working for clubs, having a sporting director who does all the ground work with his scouts, and having a manager who totally trusts them to get what he needs. No second guessing, no egos getting in the way, just a fantastic way of running a club's transfers. The difference in the last couple years could not be more stark to how it was.

[Adam_LFC]

We need a song for this man

[mattD]

Fair play to the man. Give him the kudos he deserves.

I'll freely admit, I scapegoated him as one of the culprits of our fuck ups over the last few years in the transfer window (i.e. Balotelli) and when he was made Sporting Director, I thought it was tantamount to the Viz cartoon strip when Terry Fuckwit became Chancellor of the Exchequer (so just adhering to the norm in politics then...).

I hold my hands up and say I was wrong. So wrong - there's a reason why guys like him are in the position they are and I'm here sat here with my feet up writing this on my laptop. The transfers of the last year have been top notch.

About time too - it's incredible how efficient they are when comparing them to our normative behaviour in the transfer market in the 21st century. Could have a huge bearing on how we perform on the football pitch, having such decisiveness and swift action at the top. Hopefully this efficiency from the top translates on to the football pitch.

[RedSince86]

We've come away from the Rodgers era.
 
That player recruitment in his time was so fragmented,as his ego just got in the way thinking he was the best judge and man to sign players.

Right now we are the best run club in the country on the recruitment side,the success rate since Klopp has been here is amazing.

Long may it continue.

[Lfsea]

Not prone to hyperbole personally, so you'll trust me when I say he's probably the greatest human being in history other than Neil Armstrong and Richard Pryor.

[TepidT2O]

Not prone to hyperbole personally, so you'll trust me when I say he's probably the greatest human being in history other than Neil Armstrong and Richard Pryor.

And Bonnie form blue peter...


Although she was a dog .

[Djozer]

We need a song for this man

Oh Mickey, you're so fine,
All those awesome players you sign,
Hey Mickey! Hey Mickey!

No? No.

But yeah, he's doing a great job, and well done to the club for keeping this all under wraps until the last possible minute too.

[edge]

And Bonnie form blue peter...


Although she was a dog .

Dogs are the best people.

[jillcwhomever]

Well in Michael, keep up the good work.

[CraigDS]

Some of the previous comments in this thread 

[Pradan]

Get rid of the release clause in his contract!

[jillcwhomever]

Some of the previous comments in this thread 

What happened today Craig you were not in the loop. 

[CraigDS]

What happened today Craig you were not in the loop. 

I knew hours ago and was out drinking since 10am celebrating 

Maybe.

[SerbianScouser]

*we're not worthy gif*

Seriously Mikey is absolutely killing it. Him and Klopp are a dream team. Keep it up lads.

[jillcwhomever]

I knew hours ago and was out drinking since 10am celebrating 

Maybe.

Did they tell you of any others? You know where I am? 

[clinical]

Edwards and Klopp have completely changed how we buy players. Truly amazing. The dark days of Downing and Adam are no more.

[PhaseOfPlay]

The only thing that's changed is the streamlined approach that having one person in charge brings, as opposed to the many voices approach when Rodgers was here, or the deferential approach when Commoli was in charge.

Klopp is happy to manage the players and organize the training, and have probably veto input into the transfers. He's happy to let Edwards do his job, and work with what is suggested and brought in. No arguments, no meetings, no committees. One train of thought, one action. It's how it should be, regardless of whether the person in charge is a football manager or a Sporting Director.

We've become efficient.  And as long as it stays that way, we'll see more successes than failures.

[CHOPPER]

Edwards and Klopp have completely changed how we buy players. Truly amazing. The dark days of Downing and Adam are no more.

They bought Karius and still allow Akteberg(or whatever the fuck it is) to stay in a job. Bogdan is still here and Moreno got a reprieve on 90 minutes in a friendly.


 

[jooneyisdagod]

The only thing that's changed is the streamlined approach that having one person in charge brings, as opposed to the many voices approach when Rodgers was here, or the deferential approach when Commoli was in charge.

Klopp is happy to manage the players and organize the training, and have probably veto input into the transfers. He's happy to let Edwards do his job, and work with what is suggested and brought in. No arguments, no meetings, no committees. One train of thought, one action. It's how it should be, regardless of whether the person in charge is a football manager or a Sporting Director.

We've become efficient.  And as long as it stays that way, we'll see more successes than failures.

There is nothing to suggest that the actual setup is any different than what it was under Rodgers. Now we have the personnel to make it work. Klopp is happy to work with Edwards because he doesn't second guess his own abilities and has one of the best qualities in a leader, which is to surround themselves with people that know much more about different domains than they do. It is often said within leadership seminars and such that one has to surround themselves with people smarter than themselves. Klopp does that and Rodgers struggled to at Liverpool.

[richmiller1]

There is nothing to suggest that the actual setup is any different than what it was under Rodgers. Now we have the personnel to make it work. Klopp is happy to work with Edwards because he doesn't second guess his own abilities and has one of the best qualities in a leader, which is to surround themselves with people that know much more about different domains than they do. It is often said within leadership seminars and such that one has to surround themselves with people smarter than themselves. Klopp does that and Rodgers struggled to at Liverpool.

Also, worth pointing out that Klopp is clearly a complete dream to work with from a recruitment team's perspective. He knows how he wants the team to play and that doesn't really vary game to game or season to season. He knows where he wants to improve and is clear on the attributes he is looking for in potential recruits.

With those things set out and clear from the off it isn't all that surprising that our recruitment has improved immeasurably. It gives a recruitment team a fighting chance of picking the right targets.

Contrast that with the Rodgers who by the end didn't really seem to have the faintest idea what he wanted his team to be doing.

[Dim Glas]

They bought Karius and still allow Akteberg(or whatever the fuck it is) to stay in a job. Bogdan is still here and Moreno got a reprieve on 90 minutes in a friendly.

you want to have a discussion about these people and you can't even be bothered to find out their names? Fantastic.

[mattD]

Also, worth pointing out that Klopp is clearly a complete dream to work with from a recruitment team's perspective. He knows how he wants the team to play and that doesn't really vary game to game or season to season. He knows where he wants to improve and is clear on the attributes he is looking for in potential recruits.

With those things set out and clear from the off it isn't all that surprising that our recruitment has improved immeasurably. It gives a recruitment team a fighting chance of picking the right targets.

Contrast that with the Rodgers who by the end didn't really seem to have the faintest idea what he wanted his team to be doing.

I like Brendan, and still follow him at Celtic, but the Benteke signing was a desperate last throw of the dice. In fairness, he may claim he was trying to be more flexible with tactics but that signing was a far cry from the original blueprint he sold at his unveiling in 2012.