Head of recruitment - Friend Appointed DOF

www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/20242/february/recruitment-update/

'Bristol Rovers Football Club is delighted to confirm the new structure of the recruitment department at the club.

George Friend will be retiring from playing with immediate effect. After consultation with Matt Taylor and the board, he will be taking on the role of Director of Football. George has had an illustrious career spanning 19 years, throughout which he made over 500 appearances.

On his retirement George said “I’ve learnt something from every single person on my journey. I want to thank all those who helped me achieve more than I could have ever imagined. Team mates, staff, managers, owners and fans…”

Regarding his new role George said “I now remain determined and ambitious to succeed in my role here at Rovers. It is where I started my footballing journey as a youngster, and it feels very apt that it’s where I will finish playing.”

As part of the changes to the department, Chris Spendlove has been promoted from Chief Scout, to Head of Recruitment.

Adam Mahoney has taken on a new role as Head of Data and Analysis in the recruitment department.

On these changes Matt Taylor said “I am delighted we have assembled this team and am excited by what the future will bring. There is a lot of work to do ahead of the summer, and the team are already working tirelessly to ensure that we attract the right players to the club.”

Club Chairman Hussain Al Saeed said “This new department is a step forward for the football club. We will give this team our full backing and all the tools they need to help us achieve success. We wish them well in their new roles” '

There we go. We can stop having a pop at the club for not having a recruitment structure now.

Few things I’d still change about the club but it seems everything is falling into place for the Al Saeeds. Time for them to create a legacy at the Gas unlike their predecessors.

Yeah, didn't see that one coming, the retiring immediately and getting the DOF job. Like you say, sure it had been mentioned that Friend would be heading up recruitment.

Good luck to George, hopefully can have a good transition for both him and the club 🤞.
Might, hopefully, be wrong but wasnt Chris Spendlove regarded as somewhat of an issue by some, linked to the previous manager?

, best of luck to the new recruitment team and our director of Football, sure everyone on here will support you 😂 even Spendlove who many said had left with Barton.

I can't understand how anybody with no coaching or managerial experience can become MT's immediate boss, HoR already seemed a big step up.

As far as Spendlove I assumed he'd long departed, I thought he was taking the flack for EJ/BJ signing so many injury prone players and the fact we didn't seem to have any scouting network?

Have you researched other DOF appointments to see their background?

Check Nick Hammond's career.

Not likely, but not impossible.

We were told staff appointments would be made by the club, not the manager, which will hopefully mean continuity for the future.

Brilliant news- I said in another thread that this was the news Gasheads most needed ton hear.

Kudos is due. Here's hoping for a fruitful relationship.