Portugal is an unavoidable reference in World Football.

I think there can be little doubt about this statement.

Even though there is some difficulty in demarcating a specific Game Culture, this is perhaps also a Strength that no other Nation has equal to – being able to adapt and achieve results, above any Dogma.

However, until now, influence has been almost exclusive to athletes and coaches.

“(…) the mistakes of the past are being subject to observation, analysis and reflection by new players in the Game, namely athletes and coaches.”

Perhaps, we have in Antero Henrique and Luís Campos the greatest ambassadors ever in the Sports Department, the latter even with a past (of less impact and success) linked to Sports Training. 

More recently, Mário Branco, Tiago Pinto and Pedro Alves have had their careers recognized nationally and/or internationally, suggesting a trend towards a career that has until now been less known to those outside the domains of the Game or, I would even say, of lesser relevance, not to say importance – the Sports Director.

In a World that is constantly developing and tends to be more complex, due to the nature of the development and integration of so many Sciences around the Game, the importance of having someone who can bring together the “team” around the best possible performance is, finally, recognized through the figure of the Sports Director.

Much more than the figure of someone with the exclusive function of negotiating signings, often with dubious associations with agents, players or coaches, the reputation of the modern Sports Director involves a much more complex equation. 

From (in-depth) knowledge of the Game and Training, Scouting and Talent Identification, vast networking and negotiation skils, but, mainly, the exact notion of the profile you are looking for and the careful Management and recognition of the importance given to the quality of Human Resources .

I admit, this is a field that fascinates me.

Starting from the understanding that there is a space and time in which everything in life happens, uniting, in a real and concrete way, the 3 most important parts of a Club – President of the Board, Sports Director and Coach – it is very complicated that things cannot result.

In fact, I believe that the mistakes of the past are being subject to observation, analysis and reflection by new players in the Game, namely athletes and coaches. 

Athletes have a very different communication nowadays, a very different way of being than athletes 15 years ago, not to mention decades ago. 

Coaches seem to pay different attention to managing your career.

At least, those who can afford that.

Take Rúben Amorim, for example. 

He could have left in the meantime, most likely to a Club that guaranteed him a contract much higher than what he received. 

But no, he preferred to remain at a Club where he feels comfortable, with a team where he feels (and demonstrates) that he can implement a complete game, a Total Football style, with almost total dominance, at least at domestic level.
And, above all, wait for something greater. 

It is probably a strategy that opens up even more horizons, because it consolidates (even more) the image of development, mastery and adaptation that is so important in coaches.

Above all, Hugo Viana’s transfer to Manchester City is something very important for Football, as the Sporting project demonstrates to the World of Football. 

Starting from the understanding that there is a space and time in which everything in life happens, uniting, in a real and concrete way, the 3 most important parts of a Club – President of the Board, Sports Director and Coach – it is very complicated that things cannot result.

Here, we enter the field of Strategies and Action Plans.

This is where the Sporting Director comes in now.

Let’s wait and see what developments this transfer develops, specifically in other Clubs, on how they stimulate their Vision, Strategies and Action Plans.

Disclaimer: Jorge Mendes is intentionally excluded from this equation due to his professional nature being carried out outside the corporate world, that is, professional clubs. Although his work is recognized (and a target for learning, certainly), in youth talent detection and negotiation skills, mostly.