At Standard, things are falling into place, calmly… “The season is coming to an end and it gives us time to take a step back and see the big picture with the aim of creating a process that works”Josh Wander told us last month.
The leaders of 777 Partners have used the last few weeks to target the shortcomings. The priority was to straighten out the finances and, in this sense, to find a financial director (which would be about to be done). Sportingly, the focus was obviously on the appointment of a new sports director, a position vacant since the departure of Benjamin Nicaise in October 2021! The new American bosses have analyzed the club’s liabilities in this position and have made an observation: Standard needs a new profile at the head of the athlete. In the past, the club has often relied on former players, mostly from the club, such as Axel Lawarée, Daniel Van Buyten (who was never really presented as sporting director but who acted as such) , Olivier Renard or recently Nicaise.
For the club’s new owners, if a certain balance has to be found between respecting the club’s identity and the need to bring about change, it seems clear that the profile of the next sporting director must contrast with those of his predecessors. .
After several weeks of research and multiple contacts made, the strong American men of Standard have, according to our information, found the lucky winner. If no name has filtered, it seems that it will be a foreign profile already in post in another club of a foreign competition.
The aim of 777 Partners will not be to attract a name or to repatriate a former member but to hire a profile that already has a certain experience but also who has been able to build up a network over the years. Fluency in French is not necessarily a priority. Given the more than delicate situation of the club, all eyes are on the sporting director of Genoa, Johannes Spors. It comes back to us, however, that the 39-year-old German will not land in Sclessin, any more than the coach of Genoa, Alexander Blessin.
A coach chosen in stride
Anxious to do things in order, Josh Wander, Juan Arciniegas and their teams do not want to repeat the same error as at Genoa where they had first appointed a coach (Andriy Shevchenko), before choosing a sports director (Johannes Spors) who was forced to thank the former Ukrainian star. Also according to our information, the appointment of the sports director of the Rouches is imminent and could even occur at the end of the week. Once in office, the sports boss will look for a coach even if a list has already been established, but the last word will be up to him. Finally, the red owners will have to decide whether or not to confirm Pierre Locht in his role as CEO. The 34-year-old is appreciated for the quality of his work and could well continue the adventure.
