The job of Manchester United technical director is turning into the position everyone is linked with, yet supporters still await an appointment.
We’ve been around the houses already: from Mike Phelan, to Paul Mitchell, Rio Ferdinand to Darren Fletcher. Names with a United connection have dominated the rumour mills, though there have been few who can robust experience of a similar role linked with it - other than former Spurs and Southampton guru Mitchell, who now appears to be out of the running.
If United’s end of season misery didn’t put the gravity of the role into stark perspective, nothing will. A run of just two wins in 12 games is very un-United-like, so perhaps Ed Woodward has finally seen that changes are overdue and that the model championed by virtually all United’s elite club rivals is the way forward.
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Most agree that United must appoint someone with experience, yet latest reports have suggested their former midfielder Darren Fletcher has held talks with club officials and is keen on taking the job.
Fletcher has not officially ended his playing career as yet, though is leaving Stoke City in the summer with a firm decision still to be made on his future.
The Scot would undoubtedly be a risky appointment, as would Ferdinand or Phelan, though the caveat to add is that United's technical director job isn’t expected to have a primary focus on transfers.
It will be more of a go-between, bringing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the board closer together.
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Fletcher then, makes some sense as a well-liked figure who understands the fabric of the club. Although there may be a more suitable candidate than a 35-year-old midfielder who is fresh out of the dressing room.
Dimitar Berbatov took the bold and unusual step of suggesting himself for the role last week and his suggestion is nowhere near as left-field as many would have you believe.
“After Rio Ferdinand, Darren Fletcher is the latest name linked with the Director of Football role but why not Dimitar Berbatov? I have the degree in Sports Management (as well as coaching badges) for starters,” Berbatov said.
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The phrase ‘cultural architect’ has been bandied about in connection to the role, hence why former players with a United connection have been touted in the media.
With Berbatov, United would be getting that, seemingly a prerequisite for anyone they’re going to appoint. But as he said, they’d be getting someone with the correct qualifications, an international contacts book (having played for clubs in Germany, England, France, Greece, India and his native Bulgaria) and a serious degree of clout across European football. Not to mention Berbatov's trademark swagger and confidence.
The 38-year-old has shown that in the recent vocal media appearances, speaking not just about his own future, but how best the Reds can eradicate current problems.
He’s spoken with a great deal of authority on the profile of players United should sign, the ones they should sell, the future ideology of the club.
Berbatov has a ‘film star’ image these days - and has actually featured as an actor in the film Revolution X - but that may be no bad thing. One imagines he would have few qualms in approaching Woodward or the Glazers about a thorny issue and no hesitation in backing Solskjaer to the hilt.
He still cares greatly about United and he’s unafraid to vocalise issues that need addressing.
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Appointing Berbatov would be a major risk - of course it would - but it could be just what the club needs in terms of a figurehead.
He hit the nail on the head himself: “I know about the job, how it is performed and it’s on my mind but you need to be ready for this.
“You can’t expect to be given this role purely because you are an ex-player and United will make a mistake if they recruit solely on that basis.”
So with Berbatov, United would be getting far more than just an ex striker.
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