06 Nov 2025 11:31:08
Started investing in data-driven scouting, using AI, and professional structures.
This is FC Paphos who were founded in 2014 and have just won First ever UCL v Villarreal.
EHL or anyone ITK what's your thoughts?
06 Nov 2025 13:07:40
Nice post Stig.
06 Nov 2025 13:51:34
Don't know about AI part but I felt that's what we were doing under Koppen and that he was a reason to hope we would not have the neverending summer rebuilds that we have been doing.
This is why I am so annoyed with KT because he seemed to bin that approach in favour of buying from England and only English speaking players. Instead of going and finding another Igamane player at low cost he goes to the bleeding EPL to sign Chermiti for our second largest fee ever.
I know some fans think that we should not be signing development players but I don't agree with that. Our financial position has stayed static whilst the rest of football has went money crazy and the only way we can afford quality is to get in early.
I don't actually mind Chermiti as much as most, he is a good profile for me it's just he cost too much in the wrong market.
06 Nov 2025 15:49:20
Tommy,. nothing was binned.
The recruitment team carried out the recruitment process set up by Koppen and guided by first Clement and then Ferguson.
Purdy and Thelwell advanced many of these and presented them to Martin who rejected them.
A couple of notable, and public, examples Shankland and young Oumar Camara.
06 Nov 2025 16:04:51
I understand you have insight to what has happened internally EHL but from the outside looking in I think binned is a reasonable description.
My hope with your response is we will see a more NK approach in future windows. My fear is that allowing RM to do that is pretty weak from a SD. I am not suggesting that they should have ignored the manager but convince them what's best because the recruitment team are the experts in identifying talent, ideally you want them driving the process with the managers input.
I have not particularly Dan Purdy appointment as well because recruitment in EPL is a completely different ballgame to our level. Would have looked for someone who has a track record at our level-ish. PSV, Brugge, Copenhagen type clubs.
I know you like Purdy (can't use his initials, lol) but I feel he will have a good bit of learning to do at our level and I would have preferred that track record. But I appreciate your response and hope that's what we see in future windows.
06 Nov 2025 16:55:31
This season, our front line should have been Dessers and Shankland.
06 Nov 2025 17:05:32
Good post Tommy.
06 Nov 2025 18:20:23
Mark what's your take that 6 Rangers managers four dof have not wanted shankland, nor east end mob or any championship club, let alone epl.
Seems to have a major issue when clubs do due diligence.
06 Nov 2025 19:39:41
John I think it's partly there is a snobbery against signing SPL players that's stopped him unless there's an attitude problem noone else has seen.
06 Nov 2025 21:09:56
John, he's a proven goal scorer in the SPL.
I think he'd have been a good addition.
Certainly better than what we have.