Roeder champions director of football role
Glenn Roeder has called for more progress from English clubs when it comes to taking on directors of football, claiming that the role would improve British sides, and put himself forward as a potential occupant of the role in the future.
There have been a number of Premier League clubs that have appointed directors of football at one time or another. Most recently, Damien Comolli left Liverpool on the back of a much criticised transfer campaign – he joined the club following a spell at Tottenham Hotspur, with Chairman Daniel Levy one of the first to implement the European system, with David Pleat and then Frank Arneson holding the role. Arneson went on to take the role at Chelsea.
Roeder has been working for Aston Villa as a scout since 2010, when Gerard Houllier brought the former West Ham manager into the Villa Park set-up.
 “I really feel that the role of director of football is gradually growing in this country. I think it will be a good thing when it does take off. From my experiences of travelling in Europe I've seen that every single club, no matter how big or small, has a director of football to help the manager. Surely they can't all be wrong?”
“The role would interest me greatly. I think I'd be highly qualified for that role, because I have done everything from managing in the Barclays Premier League to being academy director at Newcastle.”
In Europe the model is widespread, with former AC Milan coach Leonardo taking the role at Paris Saint Germain this season, and Zinedine Zidane currently at Real Madrid. In the UK, other notable directors of football include Ron Atkinson at Halesowen Town, Barry Fry at Perborough, and John Rudge at Stoke City.
For more insight from Glenn Roeder and other leading managers plus exclusive Barclays Premier League highlights go to www.yahoo.co.uk/sport
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