In the world of football, the role of sporting directors is crucial in building and developing successful teams. They not only manage player transfer operations but also shape tactics, make strategic decisions, and build the foundation for the club's success. Below Wintips shares a list of 8 best football sporting directors recognized globally.
Top 8 best sporting directors in football
1. Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Txiki Begiristain has played a highly successful role at both Barcelona and Manchester City. Begiristain was a key member of Johan Cruyff's Dream Team at Camp Nou, and thus deeply understands the philosophy of total football. He also played a pivotal role in bringing Pep Guardiola to Barcelona as manager in 2008 and had a major influence on Manchester City's decision to appoint Pep.
At Barcelona, Begiristain signed iconic players such as Dani Alves, Eric Abidal, and Gerard Piqué. He has taken a similar approach at Manchester City, expanding their scouting network to identify talented young players both domestically and internationally. However, at Manchester City, he has also faced criticism for high-profile but underwhelming signings such as Eliaquim Mangala and Wilfried Bony.
2. Marcel Brands (PSV)
Marcel Brands is an experienced football executive known for his success in developing Dutch football clubs. During his tenure at RKC Waalwijk, he brought in Martin Jol, who played a key role in improving the team's standing in the Eredivisie.
At AZ, Marcel Brands demonstrated a strong ability to identify promising young talents such as Sergio Romero, Ragnar Klavan, and Moussa Dembélé. Thanks to their contributions, the team won the Eredivisie title in 2009. However, upon joining PSV, he initially failed to dethrone Ajax in his first season.
A significant change occurred when Art Lengeler was appointed head of the academy, and, together with Marcel Brands, adjusted the club's transfer policy. Thanks to these efforts and the collaboration of coach Phillip Cocu, PSV won their first Eredivisie title in seven years in 2015.
Afterwards, Marcel Brands made smart investment decisions by selling players such as Georginio Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay for high transfer fees to fund the team's development and continued success.
3. Giuseppe Marotta (Juventus)
The recent success of Juventus cannot overlook Marotta's role. After effective work at Atalanta and Sampdoria, Marotta was hired by Juventus in 2010 to revive the team after Calciopoli. The results have been exceptional, with Juventus dominating Serie A for the past five years and aiming for a record sixth consecutive title.
Much of this success is attributed to Marotta's astute and daring negotiation skills, such as appointing Antonio Conte over the phone in 2011 and subsequently replacing him with Max Allegri three years later. Marotta's transfer policy has also been remarkable, frequently securing high-quality players at bargain prices.
Players like Andrea Pirlo, Sami Khedira, and Paul Pogba have made significant contributions both on the field and financially. Additionally, Carlos Tevez, Patrice Evra, Andrea Barzagli, and Arturo Vidal have all strengthened the team.
4. Monchi (Sevilla)
Sevilla's golden period can be largely attributed to Monchi's impact during his tenure as sporting director, which began in 2000. From a financially unstable position after relegation, he helped revive the club, leading them to win two consecutive Europa League titles and a UEFA Super Cup. Under his supervision, several young talents flourished before being sold for high fees, including Sergio Ramos, Alberto Moreno, Jesús Navas, and José Antonio Reyes.
Besides nurturing homegrown talents, Monchi has facilitated efficient transfers by signing players such as Ever Banega, Luis Fabiano, and Frederic Kanoute. The club also gained significant profits from selling stars such as Dani Alves, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Ivan Rakitic, and Carlos Bacca.
5. Ralf Rangnick (RB Leipzig)
Although he was a relatively unknown player, Rangnick rose to fame as the manager of Schalke, leading the team to second place in the Bundesliga and the Champions League semi-finals. In 2012, he transitioned to the role of sporting director with Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig. Here, he established broader strategies beyond tactical matters.
He has excelled in scouting and youth development roles. He has also made shrewd coaching appointments, including Roger Schmidt at Salzburg and, most recently, Ralph Hasenhüttl at Leipzig. In terms of scouting, he primarily targeted players aged 17 to 23. Some of his most notable recruits include Sadio Mané, Joshua Kimmich, and Naby Keïta, all of whom have gone on to achieve great success.
6. Les Reed (Southampton)
The decision to dismiss Nigel Adkins and appoint Mauricio Pochettino was a pivotal moment in Les Reed's tenure at Southampton, setting the stage for the club's future success. Since joining the Saints as sporting director in 2010, one of his main priorities has been to establish clear strategies alongside the managers. He stated in The Telegraph last year, "We aim to scout talent across Europe independently, without direct involvement from the manager and coaching staff."
As a result, managers have always been given full trust when leading Southampton, as proven by Pochettino, Ronald Koeman, and including Claude Puel at present. The club's identity has also been maintained through a youth academy consistently producing talented players to replace departing stars at high prices.
7. Michael Zorc (Borussia Dortmund)
Zorc is a Dortmund legend, having been a prolific striker for the club before becoming Sporting Director and a transfer expert. He played a crucial role in rebuilding and rejuvenating the team after Dortmund faced financial difficulties in the early 2000s.
Dortmund's strategy under Zorc's leadership focused on finding young, promising players and nurturing their potential. This included a transfer policy at reasonable costs, focusing on discovering hidden talents. Zorc successfully brought in players such as Mats Hummels, Ilkay Gundogan, and Robert Lewandowski, turning them into standout players for Dortmund.
.jpg)
Moreover, Zorc targeted promising young talents like Emre Mor, Ousmane Dembele, and Mikel Merino, hoping they would continue the success of their predecessors. Zorc's strategy not only saved costs but also brought the team back to the top of German football with talented players and successful transfers.
8. Michael Edwards (Liverpool)
Michael Edwards is a name synonymous with Liverpool's success over the years. Before becoming Liverpool's Sporting Director from 2016 to 2022, he spent decades working at Anfield, accumulating considerable experience and impressive achievements.
Edwards' commitment to Liverpool has been instrumental in the club's recent success, particularly under the leadership of Jurgen Klopp. He is considered one of the masterminds behind the team's resurgence, making significant contributions to bring Liverpool back to the top of European football.
Edwards' role is not just about recruiting top talent but also about building a strong squad. Deals such as the signings of Virgil Van Dijk from Southampton and Alisson Becker from AS Roma are clear evidence of his expertise in transfers. Edwards also made significant contributions to developing young talents such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harvey Elliott, helping Liverpool remain competitive at the highest level of world football.
Conclusion
Above is a list of the 8 best football sporting directors, each of whom has impressive achievements and invaluable contributions to the development of the world's top football clubs. Their talent, strategic vision, and ability to shape teams are key factors in helping teams achieve success in the long run. Thank you for following our article!
