The new head of senior recruitment will oversee a lean and efficient scouting network relying extensively on data analysis
Manchester United have continued the overhaul of their footballing operations by creating a new head of senior recruitment role. The post will oversee the club’s senior scouting activity and help improve how the club identify and sign players.
United’s new co-owners INEOS want a more agile and efficient recruitment model that also relies extensively on data-informed insights. Changes are expected across both senior and youth scouting networks at the club.
As part of the revamp, United also plan to appoint regional heads of emerging talent who will be responsible for covering major scouting territories around the world.
The new head of senior recruitment will report directly to Christopher Vivell, the club’s director of recruitment. Vivell previously held senior recruitment roles at Chelsea and RB Leipzig before being confirmed in the post earlier this year, after initially joining on an interim basis. He now leads the club’s global recruitment strategy and reports to Jason Wilcox, who was promoted to director of football in June, replacing Dave Brailsford.
While they are reshuffling senior positions in the club’s footballing operations, INEOS are also engaging in a cost-cutting programme aimed at reducing inefficiency in scouting operations at all levels of the club.
The number of scouts at United has already been reduced significantly, from around 140 in previous years to about 80 currently. Most of this reduction took place as part of the 250 redundancies made by the club last summer. Further staff reductions are expected to follow.
