Back in the day, it was all so simple, to paraphrase the wise, old Wu-Tang Clan! Even at Leicester City, a manager such as Martin O'Neill once pinpointed areas in need, selected suitable and realistic signings and informed somebody in power.
​That superior would typically be the chairman; one headache: like Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri answering only to Tony in The Sopranos. The system was solid and uncomplicated, giving bosses (rather than so-called 'head coaches') autonomy. They even liaised with agents and rivals over prospective deals.
​O'Neill used to pick his team, tell players how to play, nominate set-pieces and penalties – and get on with it! Therefore anyone can see that football was dictatorial yet straightforward. Everyone knew their role – and fewer individuals could mess it all up! Scouts were arguably the only external component to decisions, especially concerning incoming personnel.
In the modern era, there must be at least five, six or even more people involved in choosing and ultimately signing a player. Can that benefit a team? Possibly, if statistical analysis and investigations lower prices, steer the club away from poor investment and excavate increasingly adept talent.
But the side's leader, a manager, should surely have the first and final say when building a competent XI. Evidently, the game just doesn't work like that anymore; someone calling themselves a chief football officer or director of sport has to stick their nose in to merely justify their own existence, it seems.
Leicester City transfer situation
This often leads Foxes fans to wonder just who is pulling the strings at LCFC. Well, that hierarchy or nexus has been revealed: comprising Jon Rudkin (typically), sporting director James McCarron and head of recruitment Martyn Glover. Everything is, of course, signed off by chairman Aiyawatt "Top" Srivaddhanaprabha. Does a committee trade soul for spreadsheet efficiency?
"Transfer sign-offs rest with Chief Football Officer Jon Rudkin, Sporting Director James McCarron and Head of Recruitment Martyn Glover, with chairman Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha also involved. Rudkin moved into his new role earlier this year.OneFootball
McCarron joined from the City Football Group after previous stints with Sunderland, Belgian side Lommel and the Premier League. His brief is to shape player identification and recruitment alongside Glover.
Input is expected from the head coach."
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