Rotherham United are delighted to confirm the appointment of Rob Scott as the club’s new Director of Football.
Rob, who represented the club as a player before later returning as Head of Recruitment in 2019, will make the transition into his new role with immediate effect in what marks the headline of a behind-the-scenes restructuring at the football club.
Extensive conversations have taken place at Board level since the club parted ways with former manager Matt Taylor with it being wholeheartedly-concluded that a new model on the football side was necessary to ensure the club’s continued progression.
It was unanimously agreed by the Board that Rob – who has not only played a significant role off-the-field beyond his recruitment position over recent years, but also has a real understanding of the club dating back to the success he enjoyed here as a player – should be formally given responsibilities that will ensure the continued protection of the club’s ‘DNA’ and provide a clear link between the football and non-football staff across all departments of the club.
The success that the football club has enjoyed over the last 10 years in its current guise has been unprecedented and we are incredibly proud to be able to reflect upon the fantastic memories that it has given us, but now as we look to the future, it has been agreed by all parties that this new model will give us the best possible opportunity to ensure that people in roles across the club are able to maximise their potential in their own areas of expertise moving forwards.
Rob’s appointment will not impact on his previous position at the football club and he will continue to oversee the recruitment of players, assisted by his network of scouts.
Nor will the appointment of a Director of Football detract from our Head Coach Leam Richardson continuing to have a strong influence on any players that are recruited, tactics that are employed or team selections, rather, it will ensure continuity in the ‘type’ of player and person recruited by the football club moving forwards.
The Board have identified the need for this newly-created position to primarily act as a conduit between departments – both football and administrational – throughout the club and ensure that a synergy is maintained when a player or member of staff leaves or is replaced, negating the risk of any deviation from the way in which the football club wants to employ its strategy moving forwards.
Rob’s new role will have a particular focus on assisting the delivery of long-term projects encompassing matters at the club’s training ground at Roundwood, the continued development of the club’s Academy provision and the review of the off-field infrastructure.
An extended interview with Chairman Tony Stewart and Rob Scott is now available to watch here.