Southend United Club Structure.

[happydays]

Stan as head of operations

 

[palexander]

Sensational. It is worth getting this post on the official site this week and in next Tuesday's programme so it reaches as far and wide as possible.

Brilliant idea.

As our new "Head of Football Operations" I think leading the program with a statement from that person to set out the clubs future vision is perfect.

Then Next page can be for Kev :)

 

[Boreham Blue]

This is all I needed to hear.

I LOVED Kevin Maher the player, but if it is to be him, I was pretty underwhelmed - until I read this.

I'm now 100% on board and going to trust in the restructuring of the club. Maher may be the figure head, but sounds like the support team going around him is as exciting and all part of a bigger Jigsaw.

I'm sure when Brentford appointed Thomas Frank, their fans said "who?" and "thats underwhelming, we are in trouble etc"...

In Stan we trust.

This is exactly me. Normally if I’d been disappointed in an appointment I wouldn’t have confidence that those appointing know better. This time if it’s Kevin or anyone else I’ll be content that those who know better than me have made the choice and whilst no guarantees there is a fighting chance that it will lift the club up.

 

[palexander]

This is exactly me. Normally if I’d been disappointed in an appointment I wouldn’t have confidence that those appointing know better. This time if it’s Kevin or anyone else I’ll be content that those who know better than me have made the choice and whilst no guarantees there is a fighting chance that it will lift the club up.

Yes weird isnt it? Without Stan (and the 'committee'), Martin appointing Maher would be seen as a 'lazy' choice I bet and just some name from the past to again appease the fans for 6 months.

But the fact it sounds like he's been asked to do a lot of work in the interview and has impressed all the committe (and lets be honest, most importantly Stan who's vision we are behind) then all power too him.

 

[londonblue]

Hey Guys

Think it's important to set out briefly what we are trying to achieve in the football department as it would be easy to solely focus on a Manager/Head Coach and be dragged into "Messiah" syndrome.

The club favours the Head Coach model. Works with the players, motivates, leads and organises them. Their primary role.

There were several excellent candidates in this regard but the panel, 4 very different men as discussed, were unanimous on one candidates quite stunning in depth analysis of the club, playing staff and what he'd do to change outcomes from day one.

We haven't solely been interviewing Head Coaches however.

Assistant Head Coach

Head of Recruitment

Head of Football Operations

First Team Coach

Scouting

Are also positions that would create a football department which addresses quickly the lack of recruitment success in recent years, a non existent scouting network, giving the Head Coach the required quality team at Boots and Laces on the grass ( we are no longer automatically taking a Head Coaches 35 staff as a gimme. They must fit what Southend United need), a pathway for talented coaches at the club to succeed with us and a Head of Football Operations who knits everything together alongside and into other areas of the club that need support.


It is a complete restructuring of a football club. And as such comes with risk, turbulence and great challenges.

But having spoken to several Chief Executives, Owners, Directors of Football at progressive clubs across the pyramid, every single one has pointed to a significant change of fortunes which is attributed to a change of mentality and structure.

The messiah employed as the benign dictator to oversee every part of the club is dead. To create a sustainable future for Southend United is going to take an incredible amount of hard work but also patience and a change of mindset from you guys, particularly those who are used to the "he goes, he comes in and changes our fortunes". This way of doing things is playing Russian roulette and we simply can't afford to anymore. We need clarity. We need structure. We need to maximise every single part of the club in order to compete, consolidate and then succeed.

So a Head Coach is incredibly important, but his importance will be measured on improving players, improving the working mood at Roots Hall and Boots and Laces, identifying areas of improvement and then receiving a basket laden with first pick players from around the nation from the Head of Recruitment to do that.

I spoke to the players before, at half time and after the game. I told them that I felt the way some of them had been treated was appalling. I told them of my own experiences in wonderful dressing rooms that were vibrant and supportive and of dressing rooms that were broken and left every man for himself. I promised them this would change and that their working environment would improve immediately, they would be listened to, helped and improved as footballers and human beings. A promise.

I believe through a thorough and diligent process that we have found not one, but several parts of a jigsaw that will serve your club incredibly well.

But you have to fulfill your part of the deal. Support the changes we are making. Trust the hard work that's been done in good faith, in your name. Do your own DD on the names that come into the club and ask them questions, you'll have the opportunity to very quickly, I promise.

Every single person that is the front runner for the roles above I have looked into their eyes and said "Will you give Southend United 24/7 to turn this around "

All not only said yes but said yes with a pride and enthusiasm that will serve us well if supported from top to bottom.

You guys, I'll be meeting you, talking to you, explaining to you in person until you see every why, wherefore and how as clear as day. That's my promise to all of you. You'll get it, you'll see it, you'll know it.

But please, please throw the last Southend United messiah in the bin and close it. We are now a modern, progressive, adult football club that will work transparently in a system to make sure we take steps forward together, not 2 forward and 5 back.

Be patient, ask questions, support every single Southend United employee. And we have a real chance.

Stan

This is the bit that continually frustrates. We lose a couple of games and suddenly the manager is crap and needs replacing. We've had the same discussions time and again. Changing managers is not always the right move. A new manager needs time, and (s)he needs patience and the space to make mistakes. This is not an episode of the "The Weakest Link" where you vote someone off because they made a mistake.

 

[NZamba Legend]

I spoke to the players before, at half time and after the game. I told them that I felt the way some of them had been treated was appalling. I told them of my own experiences in wonderful dressing rooms that were vibrant and supportive and of dressing rooms that were broken and left every man for himself. I promised them this would change and that their working environment would improve immediately, they would be listened to, helped and improved as footballers and human beings. A promise.

Amazing

 

[Ayrshire Blue]

Hey Guys

Think it's important to set out briefly what we are trying to achieve in the football department as it would be easy to solely focus on a Manager/Head Coach and be dragged into "Messiah" syndrome.

The club favours the Head Coach model. Works with the players, motivates, leads and organises them. Their primary role.

There were several excellent candidates in this regard but the panel, 4 very different men as discussed, were unanimous on one candidates quite stunning in depth analysis of the club, playing staff and what he'd do to change outcomes from day one.

We haven't solely been interviewing Head Coaches however.

Assistant Head Coach

Head of Recruitment

Head of Football Operations

First Team Coach

Scouting

Are also positions that would create a football department which addresses quickly the lack of recruitment success in recent years, a non existent scouting network, giving the Head Coach the required quality team at Boots and Laces on the grass ( we are no longer automatically taking a Head Coaches 35 staff as a gimme. They must fit what Southend United need), a pathway for talented coaches at the club to succeed with us and a Head of Football Operations who knits everything together alongside and into other areas of the club that need support.


It is a complete restructuring of a football club. And as such comes with risk, turbulence and great challenges.

But having spoken to several Chief Executives, Owners, Directors of Football at progressive clubs across the pyramid, every single one has pointed to a significant change of fortunes which is attributed to a change of mentality and structure.

The messiah employed as the benign dictator to oversee every part of the club is dead. To create a sustainable future for Southend United is going to take an incredible amount of hard work but also patience and a change of mindset from you guys, particularly those who are used to the "he goes, he comes in and changes our fortunes". This way of doing things is playing Russian roulette and we simply can't afford to anymore. We need clarity. We need structure. We need to maximise every single part of the club in order to compete, consolidate and then succeed.

So a Head Coach is incredibly important, but his importance will be measured on improving players, improving the working mood at Roots Hall and Boots and Laces, identifying areas of improvement and then receiving a basket laden with first pick players from around the nation from the Head of Recruitment to do that.

I spoke to the players before, at half time and after the game. I told them that I felt the way some of them had been treated was appalling. I told them of my own experiences in wonderful dressing rooms that were vibrant and supportive and of dressing rooms that were broken and left every man for himself. I promised them this would change and that their working environment would improve immediately, they would be listened to, helped and improved as footballers and human beings. A promise.

I believe through a thorough and diligent process that we have found not one, but several parts of a jigsaw that will serve your club incredibly well.

But you have to fulfill your part of the deal. Support the changes we are making. Trust the hard work that's been done in good faith, in your name. Do your own DD on the names that come into the club and ask them questions, you'll have the opportunity to very quickly, I promise.

Every single person that is the front runner for the roles above I have looked into their eyes and said "Will you give Southend United 24/7 to turn this around "

All not only said yes but said yes with a pride and enthusiasm that will serve us well if supported from top to bottom.

You guys, I'll be meeting you, talking to you, explaining to you in person until you see every why, wherefore and how as clear as day. That's my promise to all of you. You'll get it, you'll see it, you'll know it.

But please, please throw the last Southend United messiah in the bin and close it. We are now a modern, progressive, adult football club that will work transparently in a system to make sure we take steps forward together, not 2 forward and 5 back.

Be patient, ask questions, support every single Southend United employee. And we have a real chance.

Stan

 

[LennySUFC]

We've been crying out for change for so long and finally the club have listened. I'm really excited to see who we appoint for the roles and will definitely look forward to Stan's meeting/zoom call to hear a clear breakdown of why the candidates were chosen, what they can bring etc.

I haven't felt this positive about Southend since I was stood on the pitch after the Sunderland game. And let's face it, it's all been downhill since then!

Thanks Stan.

 

[Tommy2holes]

This is the bit that continually frustrates. We lose a couple of games and suddenly the manager is crap and needs replacing. We've had the same discussions time and again. Changing managers is not always the right move. A new manager needs time, and (s)he needs patience and the space to make mistakes. This is not an episode of the "The Weakest Link" where you vote someone off because they made a mistake.

But it hasn't just been losing games though is it.

It's the demeanour of the players, the constant nonsense that has gone with it. Players not being paid, high court dramas, embargos, managers throwing the players under the bus or asking us to trust the project etc.

A lot of the above has played a part.

 

[Suffolk Shrimper In Dorset]

Okay now I'm excited

What he said.

And when you have a mo Stan please give the Southend United Ex Players Association (SUEPA), and others like SUFC History, a follow.

In building for the future we must take our past with us, embrace and celebrate it, feel proud and create many more new memories along the way.

Celebration, and care, of the past remains vibrant, you only need to look at SUEPA social media channels for that, it has flourished over the last three years at a time when all else was going south.

Against the background of what we all hope are better times ahead we can only thrive even more.

UTB

 

[londonblue]

But it hasn't just been losing games though is it.

It's the demeanour of the players, the constant nonsense that has gone with it. Players not being paid, high court dramas, embargos, managers throwing the players under the bus or asking us to trust the project etc.

A lot of the above has played a part.

Not recently, but it has been in the past.

 

[Barling Magna]

Our team is about to be run by grown ups. That in itself will be a refreshing change. Thank you Stan. We must heed your words and have patience, it will take months to turn this old tanker around and sail into calmer waters.

 

[Target man]

Hey Guys

Think it's important to set out briefly what we are trying to achieve in the football department as it would be easy to solely focus on a Manager/Head Coach and be dragged into "Messiah" syndrome.

The club favours the Head Coach model. Works with the players, motivates, leads and organises them. Their primary role.

There were several excellent candidates in this regard but the panel, 4 very different men as discussed, were unanimous on one candidates quite stunning in depth analysis of the club, playing staff and what he'd do to change outcomes from day one.

We haven't solely been interviewing Head Coaches however.

Assistant Head Coach

Head of Recruitment

Head of Football Operations

First Team Coach

Scouting

Are also positions that would create a football department which addresses quickly the lack of recruitment success in recent years, a non existent scouting network, giving the Head Coach the required quality team at Boots and Laces on the grass ( we are no longer automatically taking a Head Coaches 35 staff as a gimme. They must fit what Southend United need), a pathway for talented coaches at the club to succeed with us and a Head of Football Operations who knits everything together alongside and into other areas of the club that need support.


It is a complete restructuring of a football club. And as such comes with risk, turbulence and great challenges.

But having spoken to several Chief Executives, Owners, Directors of Football at progressive clubs across the pyramid, every single one has pointed to a significant change of fortunes which is attributed to a change of mentality and structure.

The messiah employed as the benign dictator to oversee every part of the club is dead. To create a sustainable future for Southend United is going to take an incredible amount of hard work but also patience and a change of mindset from you guys, particularly those who are used to the "he goes, he comes in and changes our fortunes". This way of doing things is playing Russian roulette and we simply can't afford to anymore. We need clarity. We need structure. We need to maximise every single part of the club in order to compete, consolidate and then succeed.

So a Head Coach is incredibly important, but his importance will be measured on improving players, improving the working mood at Roots Hall and Boots and Laces, identifying areas of improvement and then receiving a basket laden with first pick players from around the nation from the Head of Recruitment to do that.

I spoke to the players before, at half time and after the game. I told them that I felt the way some of them had been treated was appalling. I told them of my own experiences in wonderful dressing rooms that were vibrant and supportive and of dressing rooms that were broken and left every man for himself. I promised them this would change and that their working environment would improve immediately, they would be listened to, helped and improved as footballers and human beings. A promise.

I believe through a thorough and diligent process that we have found not one, but several parts of a jigsaw that will serve your club incredibly well.

But you have to fulfill your part of the deal. Support the changes we are making. Trust the hard work that's been done in good faith, in your name. Do your own DD on the names that come into the club and ask them questions, you'll have the opportunity to very quickly, I promise.

Every single person that is the front runner for the roles above I have looked into their eyes and said "Will you give Southend United 24/7 to turn this around "

All not only said yes but said yes with a pride and enthusiasm that will serve us well if supported from top to bottom.

You guys, I'll be meeting you, talking to you, explaining to you in person until you see every why, wherefore and how as clear as day. That's my promise to all of you. You'll get it, you'll see it, you'll know it.

But please, please throw the last Southend United messiah in the bin and close it. We are now a modern, progressive, adult football club that will work transparently in a system to make sure we take steps forward together, not 2 forward and 5 back.

Be patient, ask questions, support every single Southend United employee. And we have a real chance.

Stan

This is really refreshing and it looks as though we are heading in the right direction again with well thought out foundations being reset. The right people in the right jobs scenario is what makes it work. But lessons need to be reflected upon and learned so that we are not back here again in 5-10-15 years. It is sad the club has had to hit this low before anyone has noticed and intervened. Stan, thank you for your input and drive for this relaunch project. I am sure the supporters will be behind this, however, one issue remains. The supporters are a voice and can also contribute hugely to the club and direction. Is Mr Martin and the directors going to provide opportunity, and actually actively start listening, to that voice. As you say it takes a number of people to run a succesful club and the supporters group have been dismissed and lied to for too long. With all due respect, you may nor be here next week, it only takes a great job offer and we lose your valuable input. But the supporters will always be here and there are many great people from many various backgrounds and experiences in life that can contribute greatly. Mr Martin and his directors need to have an honest open relationship with the supporters group if we are to be succesful off the pitch, as well as on it. We don't expect to become Newcastle United, but what we have is special and we want SUFC to reach the best it possibly can.

At present you are our conduit and we thank you for what you are doing. Thanks for the valuable update.

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

All good stuff.

As long as bills and wages and taxes etc get paid.

And so much, if not ALL is reliant on the SBC giving the green light.

 

[OldBlueLady]

There's a lovely, warm, fluffy feeling about the Club at present. Let's hope this transfers into results on the pitch and an easing of tensions amongst supporters.

 

[fbm]

giving the Head Coach the required quality team at Boots and Laces on the grass

Speaking of which, I understand that the pitch and grass at B&L was in pretty poor condition a couple of years ago. Has that or will it be addressed? Surely the training ground should be at least as good as the pitch.

 

[Gt Yarmouth Shrimper]

were unanimous on one candidates quite stunning in depth analysis of the club, playing staff and what he'd do to change outcomes from day one.

That should narrow the odds, anyone with any idea on this candidate?

 

[Strykr]

That should narrow the odds, anyone with any idea on this candidate?

Kev would know every inch of the club, seen it in its worst and best times. Rode out the storm from his early days where fans continually abused him, to become talisman and club captain presiding over gloriously succesful times.

 

[RHB]

Hey Guys

Think it's important to set out briefly what we are trying to achieve in the football department as it would be easy to solely focus on a Manager/Head Coach and be dragged into "Messiah" syndrome.

But please, please throw the last Southend United messiah in the bin and close it.

Sorry Stan (@StanleyVictorCollymore) , it's got to be done.

 

[Smudger]

Kev would know every inch of the club, seen it in its worst and best times. Rode out the storm from his early days where fans continually abused him, to become talisman and club captain presiding over gloriously succesful times.

Spot on. Kevin Maher is tough, resilient, no nonsense…..he knows and loves the club enough to take a chance and leave a great job at Bristol. On top of that he’s our most successful captain of all time. Exactly WTF is not to like here? I really don’t get how anyone could be disappointed if he is the chosen one, working in the structure Stan has described….