Former Birmingham and Derby defender Michael Johnson believes the sporting director role is vital in order to run a successful football club. And he makes a passionate argument that they should be left to coach the first team and leave the long-term planning to a sporting director. Most Premier League clubs have a sporting director but some, such as Manchester United, have so far resisted creating a specific role. He said: “The sporting director has to make sure all the components of the club are all operating with one vision. “A manager could be five games from the sack and it needs consistency behind to keep the club going.

Source: Express May 14, 2020 12:00 UTC