This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Southampton announced the appointment of Matt Crocker as their new director of football operations on Tuesday, and chief executive officer Martin Semmens has made an exciting comparison when explaining what his main objective at the club will be.
What did he say?
Crocker will take up his new role in early 2020 having returned to St Mary’s following seven years with the FA, and Semmens has explained what he will be tasked with doing for the Premier League strugglers.
He told southamptonfc.com: “The Southampton Way is at the very core of everything we do here at the club, with a strong focus on our player pathway into the First Team. For our club to be successful going into the next decade, within an increasingly competitive Premier League, we must seek to strengthen our pathway and further develop every detail of our football operation.
“As Head of Development Teams at The FA, Matt was responsible for elite player and coach pathways through all teams, and was one of the key architects of the England DNA project. This created a framework and culture that has led to the success we see today through all age groups with the national team.”
Crocker’s mission
It is clear to see from Semmens’ words that Southampton as a club aren’t happy about the lack of academy graduates making it into the first team now compared to in the past.
In previous years they have seen the likes of Gareth Bale, Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain rise through to the first team – all during Crocker’s previous spell with Saints – but it hasn’t happened as much recently in terms of developing top-quality players.
It appears as though Crocker will oversee coaching methods and other such things from a low age group right through until the first team to ensure this changes, and Semmens’ comparison with what he achieved for England is certainly an exciting one.
The Three Lions have gone from being something of a dull team to watch to one of the most entertaining in the world – 37 goals in eight Euro 2020 qualifying games is testament to that – with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling regularly starring for their country.
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If Crocker can translate that “England DNA project” to Southampton and replicate the great success Gareth Southgate has had as manager by helping to get people enjoying international football again and taking them to a World Cup semi-final, then better times could lie ahead for the south coast outfit.
They are much-needed, too.
In other news, Southampton fans have been reacting after Gao’s January transfer plans were revealed…
