Former Birmingham and Derby defender Michael Johnson believes the sporting director role is vital in order to run a successful football club.
Managers who want to control everything have an impossible job, said Johnson.
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.
“It can be such a volatile industry and you have to have a long-term strategy, with pathways clearly set out.”
Johnson, who also played for Notts County and is now an England under-21 coach, argues that there is so much pressure on the manager to get results that a sporting director is needed to help support him.
December we graduated on the @UEFA Masters For International Player’s. As a @MipAlumni we will keep meeting and using our network for the greater good of the game we love. 2yrs studying and learning about different models, lifetime friends & family. pic.twitter.com/OvKazj5h4Z
— Michael Johnson (@jonsarno) January 1, 2020
It is an area he is keen on developing after completing the Master of Sport Directorship course at Manchester Metropolitan University and then the UEFA MIP (Executive Master for International Players) course.
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.
“Someone holds the keys for this long-term vision at the club and must make sure it is working towards the same goal.
“You need to get the right manager in who understands the objectives of the club.”
“But you have to have someone who connects different parts of the club together,” he said.
“Coaches now have to manage people and egos and get the best out of them. The most important thing is to get results on a Saturday.
“But the business of football is so big now, help is needed.”
On the current coronavirus pandemic, Johnson is keen to see football return but safety must come first.
“It’s a tragedy what’s happening. I’ve managed to get some learning out of the last few weeks. We are making sure we are getting something out of this situation and how we move forward and be better individuals. We need to take stock, reset and move forward.”
