Sport Republic

[Yorkshire Saint]

I dont think its any coincidence that these boys are from the (rather defunct) 777 group and by default an American investment company. With the rumours of Solak putting the club up for sale, I'm sure there is a connection that will be realised with new and American investment, in time. Lets just hope that the experience is not as turbulent as there involvement with Everton. 

 

[Convict Colony]

Johannes Spors is a prominent figure in European football management, known for his roles in talent identification, recruitment, and strategic development across several clubs and organizations. His main achievements are derived from his impactful tenures at TSG Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig, Vitesse Arnhem, Genoa CFC, the 777 Football Group, and most recently, Southampton FC. Below is a concise overview of his key accomplishments, based on available information from sources like Transfermarkt, Southampton FC announcements, and media reports.

Main Achievements of Johannes Spors

1. TSG Hoffenheim (2006–2015):
   • Role: Began as a video analyst and progressed to a key recruitment figure under manager Ralf Rangnick.
   • Achievements:
     • Contributed to Hoffenheim’s rapid rise from a lower-division German club to the Bundesliga, leveraging innovative analytics in the early 2000s.
     • Played a significant role in scouting and developing talents like Roberto Firmino and Joelinton, who later became high-profile Premier League players.
     • Helped establish Hoffenheim as a club known for youth development and data-driven recruitment.
2. RB Leipzig (2015–2017):
   • Role: Chief Scout and part of the recruitment team.
   • Achievements:
     • Instrumental in identifying and signing high-potential players such as Dayot Upamecano, Naby Keita, and Timo Werner, who became cornerstone players for Leipzig and later transferred for significant fees.
     • Contributed to Leipzig’s ascent to the Bundesliga and their competitive performances in European competitions, building a squad aligned with the Red Bull philosophy of youth and intensity.
     • Worked alongside Danny Rohl and Julian Nagelsmann, fostering connections that influenced his later career.
3. Vitesse Arnhem (2018–2020):
   • Role: Sporting Director, the first German to hold such a position in the Netherlands.
   • Achievements:
     • Led Vitesse to their best two seasons in club history, including reaching the Dutch Cup final and qualifying for European competitions.
     • Oversaw notable performances, such as a victory against Tottenham Hotspur in European competition.
     • Enhanced the club’s recruitment strategy, focusing on young, high-potential players, which strengthened their squad and financial model.
4. Genoa CFC (2020–2022):
   • Role: Sporting Director, the first German in such a role in Italy’s Serie A.
   • Achievements:
     • Stabilized Genoa during a challenging period, implementing a recruitment strategy that balanced immediate needs with long-term potential.
     • Facilitated key signings, such as Stefan Ilsanker, and supported manager Alexander Blessin, earning praise for maintaining competitive performances despite relegation pressures.
     • Built a foundation for Genoa’s transfer strategy, which was noted for its impressiveness under his leadership.
5. 777 Football Group (2022–2024):
   • Role: Global Sporting Director, overseeing football operations for multiple clubs owned by 777 Partners, including Genoa, Standard Liège, Red Star, Vasco da Gama, and Melbourne Victory.
   • Achievements:
     • Developed a global network of scouts and data-driven recruitment processes, creating synergies across clubs.
     • Took ultimate responsibility for major decisions (player transfers, managerial appointments) across the group, demonstrating leadership in a multi-club model.
     • Backed managers like Sean Dyche at Everton and supported strategic loan deals, such as Jarrad Branthwaite’s development, though some fan criticism arose over transfer policies.
     • Elevated his reputation as a progressive sporting director, aligning with modern football’s data and youth-focused trends.
6. Southampton FC (2025–Present):
   • Role: Group Technical Director, appointed February 15, 2025, replacing Jason Wilcox.
   • Achievements:
     • Assumed full responsibility for all football-related decisions, including recruitment, managerial strategy, and squad development, reporting to CEO Phil Parsons.
     • Introduced a clear philosophy of signing high-potential, youthful players to build a squad capable of immediate Championship promotion and long-term Premier League success.
     • Emphasized an intense, consistent style of play, ensuring recruitment aligns with this vision regardless of managerial changes.
     • Demonstrated confidence in stabilizing Southampton despite their impending relegation, earning praise for his “quiet confidence” and trust in his recruitment expertise.
     • Successfully navigated initial work permit issues to secure the role, highlighting his determination to join the Premier League club.

Additional Notes

• Talent Identification: Spors is widely recognized for his ability to spot and develop talents who later command high transfer fees, such as Upamecano, Keita, Firmino, Werner, and Joelinton. His work has consistently aligned with clubs’ strategies to buy young, develop, and sell for profit.
• Innovative Approach: His early adoption of analytics at Hoffenheim (2006) and multi-club management at 777 Partners showcase his forward-thinking approach to football operations.
• Challenges: While successful, Spors faced criticism at 777 Partners for decisions perceived as prioritizing Everton over other clubs, and at Southampton, he inherited a relegation-bound squad, testing his ability to rebuild.
• No Major Trophies: Transfermarkt data indicates no major competitive honors (e.g., league titles or cups) directly attributed to Spors, as his roles focus on recruitment and strategy rather than on-field results.

Critical Perspective

Spors’ achievements reflect a modern sporting director’s role: less about trophies and more about sustainable squad-building and financial growth. His success in identifying talents like Upamecano or Firmino is undeniable, but the lack of major honors and mixed fan reactions (e.g., at 777 Partners) suggest his impact is more structural than immediate. At Southampton, his ability to deliver promotion will be a critical test, given the club’s recent struggles and fan skepticism about ownership interference.

Conclusion

Johannes Spors’ main achievements include transforming recruitment at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig, leading Vitesse to historic success, stabilizing Genoa, overseeing multi-club operations at 777 Partners, and establishing a youth-focused strategy at Southampton. His expertise in talent identification and data-driven recruitment has shaped multiple clubs, though his legacy will depend on tangible results at Southampton.

 

Edited May 3 by Convict Colony

[skintsaint]

4 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

Worked alongside Danny Rohl

😶

[ApprenticeBillionaire]

26 minutes ago, Yorkshire Saint said:

I dont think its any coincidence that these boys are from the (rather defunct) 777 group and by default an American investment company. With the rumours of Solak putting the club up for sale, I'm sure there is a connection that will be realised with new and American investment, in time. Lets just hope that the experience is not as turbulent as there involvement with Everton. 

 

This is precisely it for me.

None of this came out of the club.. Not one single hint of actual names for positions came out from them whatsoever until Jordon opened his mouth live on air 3 days ago.

This doesn't seem like a coincidence to me, this seems like a takeover by "stealth".

It'll happen very slowly, gradually over time and eventually Solak will be completely gone.

This feels more like a merger with a view to a sale. It smells like that.

[Pamplemousse]

Any new yachts spotted in Ocean Village?

[Holmes_and_Watson]

27 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said:

Any new yachts spotted in Ocean Village?

[miserableoldgit]

6 hours ago, St. Ciervo said:

F- me... That wiped my optimism right the hell out. You win. Mercy.

It's OK to say Fuck/Fucking a lot apparently' It makes your point seem more important and you come across as a bit of a "Geezer" Win/win!

[Gloucester Saint]

13 hours ago, Chez said:

Was she responsible for signing Gunn from us?

Now cringing remembering that baby shark song at Chelsea

[Doctoroncall]

So expect to sign plenty of young players with money being tight and the type of backroom staff hired. 
 

just hope there is a leader or two amongst them. Get a few decent PL team loans and keep fingers crossed. 

[Matthew Le God]

29 minutes ago, Doctoroncall said:

So expect to sign plenty of young players with money being tight and the type of backroom staff hired. 

Why have you jumped to that conclusion? It makes sense to have staff in both 1st team and academy recruitment roles.

[CSA96]

2 hours ago, ApprenticeBillionaire said:

This is precisely it for me.

None of this came out of the club.. Not one single hint of actual names for positions came out from them whatsoever until Jordon opened his mouth live on air 3 days ago.

This doesn't seem like a coincidence to me, this seems like a takeover by "stealth".

It'll happen very slowly, gradually over time and eventually Solak will be completely gone.

This feels more like a merger with a view to a sale. It smells like that.

Except that isn't true. Nisotaki's appointment was reported about three weeks ago: https://trainingground.guru/nisotaki-leaving-norwich-to-join-sport-republic/

[ApprenticeBillionaire]

48 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

Except that isn't true. Nisotaki's appointment was reported about three weeks ago: https://trainingground.guru/nisotaki-leaving-norwich-to-join-sport-republic/

Ok great fantastic excellent.

[Matthew Le God]

4 hours ago, ApprenticeBillionaire said:

This is precisely it for me.

None of this came out of the club.. Not one single hint of actual names for positions came out from them whatsoever until Jordon opened his mouth live on air 3 days ago.

This doesn't seem like a coincidence to me, this seems like a takeover by "stealth".

It'll happen very slowly, gradually over time and eventually Solak will be completely gone.

This feels more like a merger with a view to a sale. It smells like that.

Alternatively... 

Johannes Spors has worked with some of the new people before and has first hand experience of what they can bring to the recruitment department. Less of a risk for him if he already trusts them to do a good job.

Managers often bring their own assistants and coaches with them from club to club, so to do sporting directors sometimes.

Edited May 3 by Matthew Le God

[manji]

4 hours ago, Convict Colony said:

Johannes Spors is a prominent figure in European football management, known for his roles in talent identification, recruitment, and strategic development across several clubs and organizations. His main achievements are derived from his impactful tenures at TSG Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig, Vitesse Arnhem, Genoa CFC, the 777 Football Group, and most recently, Southampton FC. Below is a concise overview of his key accomplishments, based on available information from sources like Transfermarkt, Southampton FC announcements, and media reports.

Main Achievements of Johannes Spors

1. TSG Hoffenheim (2006–2015):
   • Role: Began as a video analyst and progressed to a key recruitment figure under manager Ralf Rangnick.
   • Achievements:
     • Contributed to Hoffenheim’s rapid rise from a lower-division German club to the Bundesliga, leveraging innovative analytics in the early 2000s.
     • Played a significant role in scouting and developing talents like Roberto Firmino and Joelinton, who later became high-profile Premier League players.
     • Helped establish Hoffenheim as a club known for youth development and data-driven recruitment.
2. RB Leipzig (2015–2017):
   • Role: Chief Scout and part of the recruitment team.
   • Achievements:
     • Instrumental in identifying and signing high-potential players such as Dayot Upamecano, Naby Keita, and Timo Werner, who became cornerstone players for Leipzig and later transferred for significant fees.
     • Contributed to Leipzig’s ascent to the Bundesliga and their competitive performances in European competitions, building a squad aligned with the Red Bull philosophy of youth and intensity.
     • Worked alongside Danny Rohl and Julian Nagelsmann, fostering connections that influenced his later career.
3. Vitesse Arnhem (2018–2020):
   • Role: Sporting Director, the first German to hold such a position in the Netherlands.
   • Achievements:
     • Led Vitesse to their best two seasons in club history, including reaching the Dutch Cup final and qualifying for European competitions.
     • Oversaw notable performances, such as a victory against Tottenham Hotspur in European competition.
     • Enhanced the club’s recruitment strategy, focusing on young, high-potential players, which strengthened their squad and financial model.
4. Genoa CFC (2020–2022):
   • Role: Sporting Director, the first German in such a role in Italy’s Serie A.
   • Achievements:
     • Stabilized Genoa during a challenging period, implementing a recruitment strategy that balanced immediate needs with long-term potential.
     • Facilitated key signings, such as Stefan Ilsanker, and supported manager Alexander Blessin, earning praise for maintaining competitive performances despite relegation pressures.
     • Built a foundation for Genoa’s transfer strategy, which was noted for its impressiveness under his leadership.
5. 777 Football Group (2022–2024):
   • Role: Global Sporting Director, overseeing football operations for multiple clubs owned by 777 Partners, including Genoa, Standard Liège, Red Star, Vasco da Gama, and Melbourne Victory.
   • Achievements:
     • Developed a global network of scouts and data-driven recruitment processes, creating synergies across clubs.
     • Took ultimate responsibility for major decisions (player transfers, managerial appointments) across the group, demonstrating leadership in a multi-club model.
     • Backed managers like Sean Dyche at Everton and supported strategic loan deals, such as Jarrad Branthwaite’s development, though some fan criticism arose over transfer policies.
     • Elevated his reputation as a progressive sporting director, aligning with modern football’s data and youth-focused trends.
6. Southampton FC (2025–Present):
   • Role: Group Technical Director, appointed February 15, 2025, replacing Jason Wilcox.
   • Achievements:
     • Assumed full responsibility for all football-related decisions, including recruitment, managerial strategy, and squad development, reporting to CEO Phil Parsons.
     • Introduced a clear philosophy of signing high-potential, youthful players to build a squad capable of immediate Championship promotion and long-term Premier League success.
     • Emphasized an intense, consistent style of play, ensuring recruitment aligns with this vision regardless of managerial changes.
     • Demonstrated confidence in stabilizing Southampton despite their impending relegation, earning praise for his “quiet confidence” and trust in his recruitment expertise.
     • Successfully navigated initial work permit issues to secure the role, highlighting his determination to join the Premier League club.

Additional Notes

• Talent Identification: Spors is widely recognized for his ability to spot and develop talents who later command high transfer fees, such as Upamecano, Keita, Firmino, Werner, and Joelinton. His work has consistently aligned with clubs’ strategies to buy young, develop, and sell for profit.
• Innovative Approach: His early adoption of analytics at Hoffenheim (2006) and multi-club management at 777 Partners showcase his forward-thinking approach to football operations.
• Challenges: While successful, Spors faced criticism at 777 Partners for decisions perceived as prioritizing Everton over other clubs, and at Southampton, he inherited a relegation-bound squad, testing his ability to rebuild.
• No Major Trophies: Transfermarkt data indicates no major competitive honors (e.g., league titles or cups) directly attributed to Spors, as his roles focus on recruitment and strategy rather than on-field results.

Critical Perspective

Spors’ achievements reflect a modern sporting director’s role: less about trophies and more about sustainable squad-building and financial growth. His success in identifying talents like Upamecano or Firmino is undeniable, but the lack of major honors and mixed fan reactions (e.g., at 777 Partners) suggest his impact is more structural than immediate. At Southampton, his ability to deliver promotion will be a critical test, given the club’s recent struggles and fan skepticism about ownership interference.

Conclusion

Johannes Spors’ main achievements include transforming recruitment at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig, leading Vitesse to historic success, stabilizing Genoa, overseeing multi-club operations at 777 Partners, and establishing a youth-focused strategy at Southampton. His expertise in talent identification and data-driven recruitment has shaped multiple clubs, though his legacy will depend on tangible results at Southampton.

 

Quality briefing not a dig any help from Chat GP ?

[Weston Super Saint]

2 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Nice to see the photocopier salesman has splashed out on his dream yacht.

[Doctoroncall]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

Why have you jumped to that conclusion? It makes sense to have staff in both 1st team and academy recruitment roles.

Because of the latest recruitment strategy vision. 

[bugenhagen]

4 hours ago, Yorkshire Saint said:

I dont think its any coincidence that these boys are from the (rather defunct) 777 group and by default an American investment company. With the rumours of Solak putting the club up for sale, I'm sure there is a connection that will be realised with new and American investment, in time. Lets just hope that the experience is not as turbulent as there involvement with Everton. 

 

Spors Republic… 

[Badger]

17 hours ago, LuckyNumber7 said:

SAINTS have appointed an assistant technical director, among three key staff hires, as club chief Johannes Spors overhauls his leadership team.

 

Spors, formally titled group technical director, has been leading the club's football operations since he began working at Staplewood in February.

He has now appointed Elliott Stapley as Southampton's new assistant technical director, following Spors from his former role at 777 Group.

While Spors served as global director at 777 Group, Stapley worked initially as a data scientist and then as head of technical scouting and performance.

 

Based at Staplewood, Stapley, a former City Football Group student, will assist Spors in recruitment strategy and long-term squad development.

Nikola Ladan has agreed to join as the club’s new head of international scouting, joining from Genoa - one of the clubs in 777 Group's portfolio.

Ladan has worked as an international football scout at the Italian side since 2022, serving under Spors, who was the club's general manager.

The 32 year old Swede played over 100 matches in his native country's second division before retiring and taking up the role under Spors. 

As previously reported, Norwich City's assistant head of recruitment, Mariela Nisotaki has joined Saints as the head of group talent acquisition.

Based at Staplewood and a fully integrated member of the team, Nisotaki's role will focus on acquiring talent in the 16-21 age group.

Nisotaki was widely recognised as a key figure in successful transfers such as those of Emi Buendia and Gabriel Sara while at Carrow Road. 

In addition to the three arrivals, highly-rated Saints academy director Andy Goldie has been promoted to director of group talent strategy.

Academy director Andy Goldie has earned a promotion (Image: Southampton FC)

Goldie will report into Spors and oversee all aspects of talent development, talent management, and talent acquisitions across Sport Republic.

Southampton's academy manager, Duncan Fearnhead, and all other academy managers across the group's portfolio will report into Goldie.

Goldie is a 2025 recipient of England Football's Technical Director Diploma, officially graduating from the 20-month course earlier this week.

On the restructuring, Spors said: "This is an important first step in establishing a strong and aligned football structure at Southampton as we head into an important summer for the club.

“Andy’s new role and the additions of Elliott, Nikola, and Mariela strengthen our ability to develop and recruit top talent in a strategic and unified way. I look forward to seeing them all flourish in their new roles with us.”

We have to put our faith and trust in Spors in turning things round. Appears to have a good record and reputation so grounds for optimism.

Just have to hope he’s been as busy and effective in lining up the new manager ( we’ll soon find out) and identifying players, as he has organising the back room staff. If he hasn’t then this is just a  rearranging the deckchairs exercise. 

[Badger]

1 hour ago, ApprenticeBillionaire said:

Ok great fantastic excellent.

But Lord D has already written her off as a “nine pinter”. 
 

Personally her involvement in bringing Buendia (?) to Norwich earns her some credit in my eyes. 

[SaintsLoyal]

Just for the record then it was ruled out in the past to sell the club to anyone associated with a 'capital investments' approach

[Convict Colony]

5 hours ago, manji said:

Quality briefing not a dig any help from Chat GP ?

Spent 1 week researching this i will have you know.

 

Im lying it was Grok

Edited May 3 by Convict Colony

[Nolan]

On 02/05/2025 at 21:28, ApprenticeBillionaire said:

For how long?

WeRe NoT iN tHe pREmIEr lEaGuE nExT sEaSOn.

If we don't come up on at the first time of asking how long before Solak stops pouring money in and it all falls apart?

The rumors of a takeover and now all this shifting around smacks to me of Solak rolling the dice one last time.

I can't blame him either.

"For how long" what?

It's "We'Re NoT iN tHe pREmIEr lEaGuE nExT sEaSOn", but well done for noticing.

What you call "shifting around" looks like completing a reformation of strategy.

Solak's very, very, very unlikely to sell with the financial potential around the stadium.

 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

On 03/05/2025 at 13:37, Badger said:

But Lord D has already written her off as a “nine pinter”. 
 

Personally her involvement in bringing Buendia (?) to Norwich earns her some credit in my eyes. 

Buendia was out on loan for second half of this season, after returning from his ACL injury. They paid 33-38 million for him from Norwich.

Now, if Villa were unlikely to give him minutes...and there was some accident where all the decision makers suffered from concussion, and forgot who and where we'd be... 🙂

[ApprenticeBillionaire]

4 hours ago, Nolan said:

"For how long" what?

It's "We'Re NoT iN tHe pREmIEr lEaGuE nExT sEaSOn", but well done for noticing.

What you call "shifting around" looks like completing a reformation of strategy.

Solak's very, very, very unlikely to sell with the financial potential around the stadium.

 

I highly DOUBT the richest man in Serbia will be weighing up the miniscule land around St Mary's stadium as the key decider in whether or not he's going to continue pouring hundreds of millions into the club or not.

In fact, the whole idea that someone needs to buy a football club because of land around it, is absolutely bonkers.

If he wants the land, he doesn't need us to do those deals.

 

[CB Fry]

5 hours ago, Nolan said:

"For how long" what?

It's "We'Re NoT iN tHe pREmIEr lEaGuE nExT sEaSOn", but well done for noticing.

What you call "shifting around" looks like completing a reformation of strategy.

Solak's very, very, very unlikely to sell with the financial potential around the stadium.

 

Not all this again.

[Nolan]

21 hours ago, ApprenticeBillionaire said:

I highly DOUBT the richest man in Serbia will be weighing up the miniscule land around St Mary's stadium as the key decider in whether or not he's going to continue pouring hundreds of millions into the club or not.

In fact, the whole idea that someone needs to buy a football club because of land around it, is absolutely bonkers.

If he wants the land, he doesn't need us to do those deals.

 

It was not on the table when Sport Republic came in. 

It is now.

 

 

[ApprenticeBillionaire]

28 minutes ago, Nolan said:

It was not on the table when Sport Republic came in. 

It is now.

 

 

If Solak really wants that land, he could buy it. He doesn't need to own us to do it.

And honestly, this has gone round in circles for YEARS nobody has ever done anything with it. If it was the scoop you think it is, developers would have been all over it a long time ago.

They haven't. 

[Saint Fan CaM]

On 05/05/2025 at 16:55, ApprenticeBillionaire said:

If Solak really wants that land, he could buy it. He doesn't need to own us to do it.

And honestly, this has gone round in circles for YEARS nobody has ever done anything with it. If it was the scoop you think it is, developers would have been all over it a long time ago.

They haven't. 

Quite often when business property is concerned, there’s a chain of influence and negotiation to be observed - it’s not as simple as Solak ‘wanting to buy land’ such that he can just go ahead and acquire it. As an example, the concrete plant will need to be provided a suitable relocation site by the City council and assuming that happens, the land owner will need to be persuaded to sell the land or lease it. That’s a huge simplification of a process that in theory could take years and years to see fruition, but that’s not to say the negotiations have not started already - in fact I’d be very surprised if they had not started early in Solak’s ownership.

[kjurwi]

Saints have hired Nikola Ladan as head of international scouting. A Swedish 32 year old whos only other scouting career is working as a scout in Genoa for 3 years. 

 

Hope he is a good one. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

10 hours ago, kjurwi said:

Saints have hired Nikola Ladan as head of international scouting. A Swedish 32 year old whos only other scouting career is working as a scout in Genoa for 3 years. 

 

Hope he is a good one. 

I hope so too.

Obviously, we'd have more comfort in that, if we knew how extensive his software engineering background, vital for SR hires, was. 🙂

Still, he ticks the 777 box.

[Wade Garrett]

27 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

I hope so too.

Obviously, we'd have more comfort in that, if we knew how extensive his software engineering background, vital for SR hires, was. 🙂

Still, he ticks the 777 box.

He sounds like a SQL man to me.  Need someone that at least has the imagination to develop with Java or C# as well.

I really worry about this appointment.

[tdmickey3]

12 hours ago, kjurwi said:

Saints have hired Nikola Ladan as head of international scouting. A Swedish 32 year old whos only other scouting career is working as a scout in Genoa for 3 years. 

 

Hope he is a good one. 

Massive show of intent... 🙄

Has he worked for Barclays..... 

Edited Wednesday at 07:06 by tdmickey3

[Saint Fan CaM]

4 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

Massive show of intent... 🙄

Looks like this is more about Spors re-assembling his 777 team, but to be fair as Head of Scouting he just needs to manage what will likely be a third party scouting network and make it his business to know that they’re providing reliable info. So in reality he’s just a supply chain manager.

[Doctoroncall]

1 hour ago, Wade Garrett said:

He sounds like a SQL man to me.  Need someone that at least has the imagination to develop with Java or C# as well.

I really worry about this appointment.

SQL is used for database query and manipulation, Python and R are better for data analytics. 

Ummh, I think I might send my CV in!

[sockeye]

13 hours ago, kjurwi said:

Saints have hired Nikola Ladan as head of international scouting. A Swedish 32 year old whos only other scouting career is working as a scout in Genoa for 3 years. 

 

Hope he is a good one. 

But can he reverse a binary tree?

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 hour ago, Doctoroncall said:

SQL is used for database query and manipulation, Python and R are better for data analytics. 

Ummh, I think I might send my CV in!

Be sure not to show them your posts on here at interview. You'd not want football knowledge stopping you working with SR. 🙂

[James G]

On 30/04/2025 at 06:31, ApprenticeBillionaire said:

Bollocks.

This has only been rumoured since last week with Jordon saying it 48hrs ago.

If the OWNER of a Premier League football club had even hinted that it's for sale in an interview anywhere at any time that would have been literally all over the fucking place quicker than a cat through a catflap.

Hi, there was a foreign, either interview or presentation, and they were talking about the downturn in the world economy, or something like that, and there were references made to Southampton, and it stemmed from there. It might be on Google, I don't know. It doesn't matter, and if you don't believe me, it doesn't matter. All clubs are technically for sale at all times so it's irrelevant anyway

[Wade Garrett]

6 hours ago, Doctoroncall said:

SQL is used for database query and manipulation, Python and R are better for data analytics. 

Ummh, I think I might send my CV in!

Why are you telling me this?  Python is for lazy arses that want everything written for them.

[Saint86]

On 02/05/2025 at 20:18, LuckyNumber7 said:

SAINTS have appointed an assistant technical director, among three key staff hires, as club chief Johannes Spors overhauls his leadership team.

 

Spors, formally titled group technical director, has been leading the club's football operations since he began working at Staplewood in February.

He has now appointed Elliott Stapley as Southampton's new assistant technical director, following Spors from his former role at 777 Group.

While Spors served as global director at 777 Group, Stapley worked initially as a data scientist and then as head of technical scouting and performance.

 

Based at Staplewood, Stapley, a former City Football Group student, will assist Spors in recruitment strategy and long-term squad development.

Nikola Ladan has agreed to join as the club’s new head of international scouting, joining from Genoa - one of the clubs in 777 Group's portfolio.

Ladan has worked as an international football scout at the Italian side since 2022, serving under Spors, who was the club's general manager.

The 32 year old Swede played over 100 matches in his native country's second division before retiring and taking up the role under Spors. 

As previously reported, Norwich City's assistant head of recruitment, Mariela Nisotaki has joined Saints as the head of group talent acquisition.

Based at Staplewood and a fully integrated member of the team, Nisotaki's role will focus on acquiring talent in the 16-21 age group.

Nisotaki was widely recognised as a key figure in successful transfers such as those of Emi Buendia and Gabriel Sara while at Carrow Road. 

In addition to the three arrivals, highly-rated Saints academy director Andy Goldie has been promoted to director of group talent strategy.

Academy director Andy Goldie has earned a promotion (Image: Southampton FC)

Goldie will report into Spors and oversee all aspects of talent development, talent management, and talent acquisitions across Sport Republic.

Southampton's academy manager, Duncan Fearnhead, and all other academy managers across the group's portfolio will report into Goldie.

Goldie is a 2025 recipient of England Football's Technical Director Diploma, officially graduating from the 20-month course earlier this week.

On the restructuring, Spors said: "This is an important first step in establishing a strong and aligned football structure at Southampton as we head into an important summer for the club.

“Andy’s new role and the additions of Elliott, Nikola, and Mariela strengthen our ability to develop and recruit top talent in a strategic and unified way. I look forward to seeing them all flourish in their new roles with us.”

Revisiting this now. What stands out is the number of these staff being based out of staplewood.

Is this a deliberate attempt to repair some of the damage caused by the initial SR (Ankersen/Kraft) multi club vision where they dismantled the decentralised club based scouting/recruitment to a group based recruitment? Or is this tying in with what blackmore has said we forcing Rasmus to take a back seat and space being created to allow Spors freedom/control? Alternatively, and perhaps more of a long shot, is this part of a longer term strategy -one with a view to saints being run as a singular club again (tying in with the "for sale" rumours)? Or potentially the associated clubs being sold off seperatley/together in the mid/long term,.

[Saint Fan CaM]

6 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

Revisiting this now. What stands out is the number of these staff being based out of staplewood.

Is this a deliberate attempt to repair some of the damage caused by the initial SR (Ankersen/Kraft) multi club vision where they dismantled the decentralised club based scouting/recruitment to a group based recruitment? Or is this tying in with what blackmore has said we forcing Rasmus to take a back seat and space being created to allow Spors freedom/control? Alternatively, and perhaps more of a long shot, is this part of a longer term strategy -one with a view to saints being run as a singular club again (tying in with the "for sale" rumours)? Or potentially the associated clubs being sold off seperatley/together in the mid/long term,.

Probably a bit of all that in reality.

[franniesTache]

6 hours ago, James G said:

and it stemmed from there.

Nah it definitely didn't. It "stemmed" from someone who if people knew who it was no one would be asking questions anymore. Also just because the club are open to buyers and have made it known they are up for sale doesn't mean it will happen.

Because lets be honest, who in their right fucking mind would buy a football club?

[Doctoroncall]

2 hours ago, Wade Garrett said:

Why are you telling me this?  Python is for lazy arses that want everything written for them.

Got to move with the times and be a hipster programmer. 
 

Java and C# are so last year. 

[jemanson]

31 minutes ago, Doctoroncall said:

Got to move with the times and be a hipster programmer. 
 

Java and C# are so last year. 

Some of us have RPG on our CVs ... more last century than last year.

[trousers]

My programmer training included punched cards (true story)... Gis a job...

[BarberSaint]

1 hour ago, trousers said:

My programmer training included punched cards (true story)... Gis a job...

 

Why did you punch them?

[Holmes_and_Watson]

47 minutes ago, BarberSaint said:

 

Why did you punch them?

 1) Had no idea what was on them, or what to do with them. It's very frustrating.

2) There wasn't a slot on his MacBook for them.

3) Still upset at joing SaintsWeb thinking it was GitHub, and only finding Gits.

 

[Wade Garrett]

2 hours ago, Doctoroncall said:

Got to move with the times and be a hipster programmer. 
 

Java and C# are so last year. 

Fucking hipster wankers wouldn’t know one design pattern from another.