Shahid Khan, Chairman of Fulham Football Club, today named Tony Khan as Vice Chairman and Director of Football Operations, effective immediately. Young Khan was at the Spurs Cup game, spending most of his time glued to an iPad, so should probably have guessed something was brewing. Not sure where this fits in with the stories about Jokanovic's new contract, other than when the Gaffer signs up he must be content with this. And the other cohorts who have also been given jobs. Here's the full Club statement: "Tony Khan assumes his responsibilities following a period of advising the football operations at Fulham, particularly in the area of analytics and research. Over the past year in particular, Tony Khan played an integral role in the identification, recruitment and signing of the players that currently play for Fulham, which sits in seventh place in the Sky Bet Championship. Upon accepting his new role at Fulham, Tony Khan made two immediate appointments by promoting Brian Talbot as Assistant Director of Football Operations and Chief Scout, and likewise elevating Craig Kline to Assistant Director of Football Operations and Director of Statistical Research. Talbot and Kline will each report directly to Tony Khan. Tony Khan, 34, is the son of Shahid Khan, who purchased Fulham Football Club in July 2013. Tony Khan is an owner of both FFC and the Jacksonville Jaguars, a National Football League team based in the United States where he holds the title of Senior Vice President, Football Technology & Analytics. Tony Khan is also the owner and chairman of TruMedia Networks, a Boston-based engineering firm specialising in sports analytics solutions for leagues, franchises, and media partners across the sports industry. “Today’s appointment brings a formal structure and recognition to the role that Tony has recently played on the football side of our Club and especially since the conclusion of last season,” Shahid Khan said. “Tony has served the Club quietly but faithfully and extremely well during that time. He brings new practices to what we’re doing but not at the expense of what would be considered traditional and proven methods. It’s important to remember there is no industry in the world that is succeeding today by doing things exactly the same way as they did yesterday, yet there are also some basic principles of success that are timeless. Tony has respect for the old and new, and that’s what we need to achieve the goal of returning to the Premier League in a manner that is responsible and sustainable for a long time. Tony also understands the scrutiny and responsibility that will come with this assignment. Tony welcomes it, as do I.” In 2015, Tony Khan created the statistical research department at Fulham, where his aim was to complement classic scouting methods by analysing football player performance and developing proprietary football performance metrics to aid the Club's efforts to gain promotion back into the English Premier League. Tony Khan broadened his scope of responsibilities in 2016 when he actively immersed himself in all facets of the football operations at Fulham, including working with Head Coach Slaviša Jokanović and the entire football staff during the summer transfer period to build the current FFC squad. “I have to applaud our current team and the strides our Club has made in less than a year, and there is no doubt in my mind that we will compete for a play-off position because we have the talent to achieve that and we have extraordinary leadership in Slav,” Tony Khan said. “I’m very optimistic. Our team should be optimistic as well. I am sure they are. “The biggest thing for me is I’m also extremely excited for our long-term future at Fulham. I’m really lucky to see the commitment of our staff, day in and day out, and better than anyone I know the commitment of our ownership. I have quite a responsibility ahead and am proud to accept it. I know all eyes will be upon me, and I’m ready for that. No one will want and work harder for long-term success for Fulham more than I will.” Tony Khan graduated from the College of Business at the University of Illinois in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance. Brian Talbot has authored a rich and successful career in top-flight English football as a player, manager and scout. As a player, Talbot’s apprenticeship and playing career at Ipswich Town was followed by stints at Arsenal, Watford, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion and Fulham, as well as six appearances for the England National Team. Talbot later managed at West Bromwich Albion, Aldershot, Hibernians (Malta), Rushden & Diamonds, Oldham Athletic, Oxford United and Marsaxlokk (Malta) before ultimately joining Fulham’s scouting department in 2011. Craig Kline practised law in Illinois before turning to consulting in the area of sports analytics for various professional sports teams as well as TruMedia. Kline arrived at Fulham in October 2014 and was later named as the Club’s director of statistical research. Kline serves as an advisor to Tony Khan and within the football department on various team and player-related projects."
I think this is just confirming what is currently in place, but worth noting that 1) Jokanovic has signed a new contract, fully aware of the 'new' structure and 2) Tony Khan seems to be getting more involved with Fulham, which is potentially a good sign given that Khan sr. hasn't shown all that much interest.
The hands-on and physical prescence of Khan Jr would seem to demonstrate commitment by our American owner(s). That's welcomed and hopefully will also lead to more transparency in Club matters off the field. At the very least we now know who to point the finger at. For me the best part of this announcement however is the recognition that analytics and scouting both play equal parts in our transfer policy and the promotion of this man - Pretty much sidelined by the control freak Mike Rigg having a proper football man now sitting at the top table can only be a good thing.
