Liverpool sporting director search could now be transformed by AI – Wyness
Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has suggested advances in data and artificial intelligence will reduce the power of sporting directors – as Liverpool search for a Jorg Schmadtke replacement.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested the technology could help level the playing field for smaller clubs in the transfer market.
Liverpool are on the hunt for a new sporting director following Schmadtke’s exit at the end of the January transfer window.
Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (21 February) that the Reds are planning to informally approach Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes.
A well-placed source has told Football Insider that the Reds plan to appoint a new transfer guru before making a final decision on installing a new manager to replace the outgoing Jurgen Klopp.
Expert says AI is set to reduce sporting director power as Liverpool search for new transfer guru
Elsewhere in the Premier League, sporting director Dan Ashworth has agreed to join Man United – with Newcastle United set to demand a big compensation package to release him.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “A lot of the advances in artificial intelligence will reduce the power of the sporting director and change the way scouting is done, I believe.
“The likes of Dan Ashworth evolved in an era where data wasn’t quite as important as it is now.
“Data came to the fore with Michael Edwards and the guys at Liverpool, really, probably in the last five to six years.
“It’s being refined to an extent where the smaller clubs can get access to the same level of information now.
“I think that may reduce the importance of a sporting director, to a degree.
“It’s going to be easier for other, smaller clubs to combat them.
“One of the great skills of a sporting director is assembling a huge database and network – and that is being made easier with AI.
“That’s where I think the change will come.”
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