- Home
- Miscellaneous
- Football clubs forced to rethink recruitment strategy as virus impacts transfer market
Football Clubs Forced To Rethink Recruitment Strategy As Virus Impacts Transfer Market
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published May 25, 2020 | 09:40 AM
Paris, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th May, 2020 ) :Around Europe, football is waking up from the coronavirus shutdown, but it is different to before for players and supporters and it is changing behind the scenes too.
While the German Bundesliga returns in stadiums devoid of fans, the sport is preparing for an economic crisis which will impact all levels of the game.
That will be particularly visible in the transfer market, where it has become the norm to see leading clubs splash out 100 million-euro fees.
Damien Comolli has observed events from afar having left his role at Turkish club Fenerbahce in January.
The ex-Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur sporting director told AFP he foresees fees dropping by "between 30 and 50 percent compared to the usual prices, and a reduction of 70-75 percent in terms of activity." In particular, the loss to clubs from matchday revenue as a result of games being played behind closed doors will impact budgets.
When it comes to signing players, those in charge of recruitment at clubs have also simply not been able to do their jobs.
- Time to take stock - "The biggest part of my job is following up on targets for the next transfer windows," says Martyn Glover, head of scouting and recruitment at English Premier League side Southampton.
Scouts usually spend much of their time clocking up road and air miles to watch prospective signings in action.
"I would expect to be abroad every week at some point," says Glover, who previously worked at Everton.
"I might fly to Paris to watch PSG and then the next day to Germany to watch somebody else.
My week would probably be three or four live games of football." Robert McKenzie has a similar a role at Belgian second-tier outfit Leuven, who in 2017 were taken over by King Power, the Thai owners of Leicester City.
Usually he would be on the road watching up to 20 games a month, eyeing up targets.
"The current situation obviously has significant implications for what has historically been the most important part of the process: the assessment of players in live games," he tells AFP.
"I do often think to myself when will be the next time I'm actually sat in a football stadium watching a game? Who knows!" However, he acknowledges that the shutdown has afforded him the luxury of time to take stock and assess options.
In contrast, Newcastle United made headlines when their head of recruitment, Steve Nickson, was placed on furlough along with the whole scouting department, stopping a crucial section of the club from functioning.
In any case, how can a Premier League club plan for the summer window without knowing if they will still be a top-flight club next season, or if this season will restart, with all the financial consequences? "There are too many imponderables," says Glover.
"We are not a club who might spend 80 million on a player anyway.
"I am sure there will be some opportunities that present themselves by the nature of what has happened, both at home and abroad, but the hardest part is the finances."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Zhao Shirin calls on Punjab Industries Minister
Immunization campaign to protect children from deadly diseases in full swing
Action taken against officers not recovering 85% tax: Secretary
Haiti transitional council sworn in after months of violence
IHC adjourns cipher case hearing against PTI founder till April 20,
Ukrainian village battles mines year after Russia forced out
Collective efforts needed to curb terrorism: Barrister Saif
China's Shenzhou-18 mission takes off bound for space station
Police arrest 4 suspects, recovered phones, bikes
Thousands of flights scrapped as French air traffic controllers strike
WWB directed to identify board’s land for revenue generation
Poverty to be ended by establishing border markets: Balochistan Governor
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
2 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
3 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
4 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
4 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
4 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
4 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
6 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
10 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
11 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
11 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
14 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
16 days ago