Football Operations Revamp - Hiring Technical Director, CEO, and Commercial Director - Rudkin moving 'upstairs'

[mod hero]

Remember when someone lit a fire at Peterborough away in the 90’s? Think it might have been Lee Philpott

[filbertway]

1 hour ago, UniFox21 said:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cpd62wgjx9do

 

Oh look, another exec has spoken to the fan base after a terrible start.

 

Almost as if every other club is watching how badly we're handling things and just doing the opposite.

If Rudkin and Top came out with that id be livid

 

"It may sound strange but I think it's the best time in my 10 years, where we have galvanised a group of people, elite people," he said. "We feel we share the same views and principles. The chemistry and communication at the moment is maybe the best I have seen.

 

"Back to the pitch, maybe it's one of the worst moments in the last 10 years, but still better than where we were in the Championship."

[Dan]

1 hour ago, Muzzy_no7 said:

Ain’t happening is it. 
 

Pathetic. 

It probably will but it'll be at a glacial pace as usual.

[Foxes1]

But Top said the other week that their is going to be more dialogue from the heirarchy now, lets not forget he is busy at the moment playing polo for Thailand in the SEAG. 😄

[Grebfromgrebland]

1 hour ago, The Year Of The Fox said:

I’m surprised anyone has to read that post above and have it spoon fed to them that the blokes not advocating arson

 

Though after the publics reliance on being spoon fed during the pandemic I shouldn’t be surprised 

I think most of the reactions are pretty tongue in cheek to be fair. We do need something more significant though to get our feelings across.

 

I'm just now sure there's anything that can be done now as we have no money. 

 

They might get better once the high earners are out of the club

[Adster]

11 hours ago, Kilworthfox said:

Possibly one of the most ridiculous posts I've ever seen in FT and I've been here for a while. 

Aye, up there with Dan's "let's give people physical abuse" tosh last week. 

[Mark_w]

Can’t stand these plastic prawn sandwich brigade fans who won’t even torch the ground. Game’s gone.

[ACF]

🎶 Rudkin's on fire

Because we burned the stadium down 🎶

[Chrysalis]

On 10/12/2025 at 12:42, South Shire Fox said:

Successful as in their club has been on an upward trajectory so could be from a smaller club in the Championship or League one

Yeah, we clearly have a cultural issue now where we think taking a proven failure from the EPL is better than a rising star from the lower leagues, its already evident in player recruitment.

[AjcW]

Sunderland Chief Commercial Officer - Ashley Peden is leaving after a couple of years up there. Done some excellent work.

 

On LinkedIn he states some personal reasons attached, which I thought was interesting given he lived most of his life in Derby and worked for Derby County most of that time too. 

 

Might be one to watch, leaves the role in January.

 

Would be a candidate for CEO or Commercial Director.

Edited 15 December 2025 by AjcW

[Ric Flair]

2 minutes ago, AjcW said:

Sunderland Chief Commercial Officer - Ashley Peden is leaving after a couple of years up there. Done some excellent work.

 

On LinkedIn he states some personal reasons attached, which I thought was interesting given he lived most of his live in Derby and worked for Derby County most of that time too. 

 

Might be one to watch, leaves the role in January.

 

Would be a candidate for CEO or Commercial Director.

Thats some absolute nerd behaviour and research that I can fully get on board with. Top work sir.

[AjcW]

Just now, Ric Flair said:

Thats some absolute nerd behaviour and research that I can fully get on board with. Top work sir.

Knew you'd appreciate it 

[teblin]

Stokes academy technical director has just left. Might not be related to us but just spotted it.

[AjcW]

Forest Head of Football Operations (previously assistant DOF and Ops Director) leaving this week, Ed Henderson.

 

Another who could probably fulfill all 3 roles being recruited for currently. 

[OntarioFox]

3 minutes ago, AjcW said:

Forest Head of Football Operations (previously assistant DOF and Ops Director) leaving this week, Ed Henderson.

 

Another who could probably fulfill all 3 roles being recruited for currently. 

Sneaking out with the Christmas gifts for the kids no doubt

 

(Oh wait i thought that was us for a second... but nah it's forest, definitely out here grinchin')

Edited 19 December 2025 by OntarioFox

[Finnegan]

18 minutes ago, AjcW said:

Forest Head of Football Operations (previously assistant DOF and Ops Director) leaving this week, Ed Henderson.

 

Another who could probably fulfill all 3 roles being recruited for currently. 

 

"I'm sorry Jon, you've overspent us to our last points deduction. It's time to hire a Sporting Director with a solid track record sticking to financial constraints. 

 

Hey, this guy looks good..." 

[AjcW]

Just now, Finnegan said:

 

"I'm sorry Jon, you've overspent us to our last points deduction. It's time to hire a Sporting Director with a solid track record sticking to financial constraints. 

 

Hey, this guy looks good..." 

I'm only here to make realistic suggestions  

[urban.spaceman]

 

On 15/12/2025 at 16:02, AjcW said:

Sunderland Chief Commercial Officer - Ashley Peden is leaving after a couple of years up there. Done some excellent work.

 

On LinkedIn he states some personal reasons attached, which I thought was interesting given he lived most of his life in Derby and worked for Derby County most of that time too. 

 

Might be one to watch, leaves the role in January.

 

Would be a candidate for CEO or Commercial Director.

 

23 hours ago, AjcW said:

Forest Head of Football Operations (previously assistant DOF and Ops Director) leaving this week, Ed Henderson.

 

Another who could probably fulfill all 3 roles being recruited for currently. 

 

[cityfanlee23]

Edu reportedly under pressure already at Forest. Bit of a hit and miss transfer summer for them, but I would imagine there would have been a few players that were already scouted by forest before he arrived in July that he did a deal on but probably didn't pick. But overall the profile of signings seemed fine, felt they overpaid for Hutchinson and Ndoye though. But overall the job he did at Arsenal was very good, and if he gets sacked by Forest he will probably have bigger opportunities than us almost immediately, but we should be at the negotiating table regardless. 

[coolhandfox]

5 minutes ago, cityfanlee23 said:

Edu reportedly under pressure already at Forest. Bit of a hit and miss transfer summer for them, but I would imagine there would have been a few players that were already scouted by forest before he arrived in July that he did a deal on but probably didn't pick. But overall the profile of signings seemed fine, felt they overpaid for Hutchinson and Ndoye though. But overall the job he did at Arsenal was very good, and if he gets sacked by Forest he will probably have bigger opportunities than us almost immediately, but we should be at the negotiating table regardless. 

Not a chance he come here at the moment.

[cityfanlee23]

11 minutes ago, coolhandfox said:

Not a chance he come here at the moment.

Agreed, we should still be at the table though, football is a funny game sometimes. Leeds fans would probably have said Bielsa would never go to them. I do think you're right though. 

[stevostadium]

gone very quiet since the top press conference hasnt it.

Literally no update on any positions

[StanSP]

1 minute ago, cityfanlee23 said:

Agreed, we should still be at the table though, football is a funny game sometimes. Leeds fans would probably have said Bielsa would never go to them. I do think you're right though. 

What do you mean 'at the table'? 

 

Even if we enquired, that doesn't mean he's going to want to come? It's a non-starter in my opinion. Not least because of our current status as a club, but financially we're probably so far from what we can afford and what he wants considering he's been at Arsenal... 

[cityfanlee23]

Just now, StanSP said:

What do you mean 'at the table'? 

 

Even if we enquired, that doesn't mean he's going to want to come? It's a non-starter in my opinion. Not least because of our current status as a club, but financially we're probably so far from what we can afford and what he wants considering he's been at Arsenal... 

I just mean we should be in contact with his agent at the very least, poor choice of wording I didn't mean literally negotiating at the table. I think at Arsenal he was on about £2m, he got a big payrise to Forest because he was overseeing 3 clubs at the same time, but that clearly hasn't worked immediately so not sure he would be commanding wages that exceed what a decent technical director would be earning at other clubs. My guess is he would be back to the original level unless it's a saudi deal or something.

If we could get a proper TD through the doors on 30-40k per week with a proven record and it meant not being able to spend £2-3m on a player, i'd probably take that deal. If we could sell Winks/Faes and have multiple big earners leaving that could leave us in a position to bring someone in. 

[Pita]

21 minutes ago, stevostadium said:

gone very quiet since the top press conference hasnt it.

Literally no update on any positions

Smoke and mirrors by Top he was trying to shut up the supporters. Looks like he has failed