' Dave Jones? '

Why Cardiff City could benefit from hiring Dave Jones as Director of Football -
Wednesday May 21st 2014

BY GARETH ROGERS


Scott Johnson, takes a look at the idea of former manager Dave Jones returning to the club


Vincent Tan certainly seized on the opportunity to break his silence after settling his dispute with Malky Mackay.

Aside from his disparaging comments regarding Malky’s tenure and spending, having sifted through the bombast and statements that contradicted his previous statements, there was one particular statement that piqued my interest.



“Cardiff were promoted because I put £15m in for Malky Mackay to spend. If I gave Dave Jones £5m he would have taken us up. But I wasn’t very interested when Dave Jones was here. Later I became interested.”

It was intended as another dig against Malky, but it also reiterated his respect for the manager he sacked in 2011.

Jones, linked with the post before Solskjaer was appointed, may be one of the few football men he trusts, which begs the question, should be involved behind the scenes in an official capacity?

If you were to speak to a handful of Cardiff fans about Jones, you are likely to get a wide range of opinions, as exemplified by the mixed reception he received when Cardiff played Sheffield Wednesday during his tenure up north.

Some will respect the way he kept Cardiff competitive, despite having to consistently sell his best players to keep the club afloat.



Others will claim he come up short and was not animated enough on the touchline. That’s the nature of football and despite his achievements, you would probably get similarly contrasting opinions on Mackay too.

Jones may have become increasingly sour and his time in charge certainly run its course, but he has a wealth of experience, is respected throughout the game and was a savvy transfer market operator.

The whole transfer budget debacle highlighted the lack of football knowledge at boardroom level and Cardiff are crying out for a Director of Football or advisory figure behind the scenes.



Although it is fairly common for clubs to operate with a form of director of football overseas, it has not really caught on over here yet. Dan Ashworth was very successful as West Brom’s sporting and technical director before being headhunted by the FA to become their director of elite development. Franco Baldini fulfills a similar role at Spurs while Liverpool utilises a transfer committee.

Mehmet Dalman appears to be a calming influence, but he does not have a background in football and has been thrown in at the deep end for his first season as chairman. Jones could provide a link between the board and the team, an ally for Solskjaer and a sounding board for Tan.

He also knows the Championship inside out and can keep an ear to the ground regarding potential transfer targets, ensuring Tan gets value for money and providing Solskjaer with the benefit of his experience.

The more you think about it, the more the whole idea appeals, depending on your Dave Jones stance of course. Although I’m sure we can all agree that anyone who can aid the inexperienced Solskjaer and possibly intercept some of Tan’s more bizarre ideas has got to be a worthwhile appointment. It might also afford Jones that crack at the Premier League that eluded him as manager.

Def Not for me.

Def Not for me.

i think he'd done all he could here as a manager and was the right time for change. Wouldn''t be opposed to it but wouldn't want to upset Ole either

Director of football is not needed - just creates problems

BUT please no return for Jones

Def Not for me.

i think he'd done all he could here as a manager and was the right time for change. Wouldn''t be opposed to it but wouldn't want to upset Ole either

Natman, we virtually agree and I could not see them working together either

He said he didn't want it? Non story

I was a big fan of what Dave Jones achieved at Cardiff but his time here is done and I don't think we should go down this road.

i have never understood the role.......one man manages,picks team, decides tactics but another has a massive say in who is bought......its like managing with your hands tied behind your back........the better player isnt always the piece of the jigsaw that is missing....and the jigsaw is in the head of the man picking the team..........

I don't agree with the role of director of football.

Dave Jones was excellent for us but his time has come and gone. If Ole didn't work out and we needed another manager for a period if then consider him back.

We probably do need a football man on the board.... Whether Dave Jones is the right man, I'm not so sure

Def Not for me.

I second that