Portsmouth weigh up sporting director appointment as they consider structural change

Pompey will consider implementing a sporting director as they look to implement the infrastructure to drive the club forward.
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And the Blues will call on the advice of the Cowleys as they consider what’s required to continue growth on and off the pitch.

A sporting director has been mooted a potentially important role to be filled, as Pompey look to cement a clear identity and blueprint of what they stand for.

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Chief executive Mark Catlin explained the position is on the agenda and has no doubt an appointment would be given the green light by the Eisners, if they believe it to be in the best interests of the club.

Pompey are looking to the future as they consider appointing a sporting director. Picture: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty ImagesPompey are looking to the future as they consider appointing a sporting director. Picture: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images
Pompey are looking to the future as they consider appointing a sporting director. Picture: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images

Catlin said: ‘It’s something (a sporting director) we will sit down with Danny and Nicky and talk about.

‘They will give us their input and advice and we will take that on board.

‘We’ve always been a club who listen and take on views in the professional sense.

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‘If we feel it’s a good fit then we implement it into the club after discussing it with the board.

‘Everything has to be done with a clear purpose and clear vision for the future.

‘We are coming at this with a blank sheet of paper.

‘We’re open to all ideas and suggestions.

‘Nicky and Danny wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have that confidence in them or a strategic blueprint for the future.

‘We’ll be working with Danny and Nicky on that.

‘Any input they can give on that can only be for the benefit of the club.’

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Catlin feels the Eisners have shown a desire to build steadily and organically in their near four-year stewardship of the club.

That’s remained the case despite the club haemorrhaging £700,000 per month through the Covid pandemic, with Michael Eisner this weekend reaffirming his long-term ambitions for Pompey.

Catlin believes those qualities have not been lost on the Blues’ new management team.

He added: ‘We’ve got great structures in place still.

‘There’s been no wholesale wiping out of people.

‘Danny was attracted to the club and said publicly part of that was due to the foundations we’ve already put in on and off the pitch.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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