His job will not simply consist of adjusting the squad, but of rebuilding it in great detail. Because between the end of the contract, the loans not extended and the transfers that need to bring in money, there will be many departures. Probably ten or so.
One should not specifically sell before buying.
The problem is that Standard will have to strengthen itself with no money, or very little, while continuing to focus on its training center. “One should not specifically sell before buying. We can go find free players, said Fergal Harkin in our columns, March 29. Aiden O'Neill is a good example. It meets expectations. A player is not necessarily at the end of his contract because he is less good. It is sometimes for contractual reasons, because he was unable to find an agreement with his former club.”
The Irishman, who some say is tired, even worried by the club's situation, is looking for two central defenders including a left-footer, two midfielders and an attacker. At least. Ivan Leko would like to add a winger. Even a goalkeeper – Bodart being on the departure – to support the novice but promising Epolo (19 years old), while Henkinet (31 years old) is in revalidation. In any case, he wants more experience and athletic power in his squad.
An office in Liège, eyes everywhere
To hit the mark, Fergal Harkin must be inventive. He therefore uses several levers. Starting with the club’s own recruitment unit. We were interested in it despite his wish for absolute discretion.
Viewing, scouting, comparisons, gathering information: there is no shortage of work in these preparatory weeks. Because a transfer window is anticipated. Adjusts. Both for the first team and the young people.
At Standard, the tense context is unfavorable for young people: “We are afraid of doing badly”
Based near the pro block, in the offices of the SL16 Football Campus, it is managed by Laurent D'Affnay, former video analyst. He is notably supported by the scouting coordinator, Alexandre Lousberg, a law graduate and former legal advisor to the club.
The rule is that a player is observed by different scouts to vary and enrich the reports.
How many members make it up? Half a dozen, they tell us. A figure which remains perilous to establish precisely to the extent that, in addition to contract workers, there is a series of external scouts who collaborate on specific missions.
For young people, the club also has what we could commonly call “beaters”. Present around Belgian fields every weekend, they are used to locate and alert the cell.
Denis Dragus on his way to Trabzonspor to launch the Standard transfer window
For the first team, missions are distributed by region, in Europe and around the world. For each position, a list of profiles is established. It can reach ten or even fifteen names, depending on certain criteria (age, contract duration, value, experience, strong footing, etc.) and the urgency of recruitment.
Over the weeks, the files are explored in order of priority and, above all, in the case of Standard, financial feasibility.
Note that a rule in the industry requires that a player be observed by different members of the cell, to multiply, vary and enrich the relationships. Are these systematically followed by management? That's another question…
A member of the sports management team attentively attended AZ Alkmaar – Waalwijk on April 13.
In recent weeks, the Standard has notably sent recruiters to Africa. Nigeria, Ghana and Congo were targeted, mainly for young players, a priori not directly for the first team. A member of the sports staff also attended with an attentive eye at AZ Alkmaar – Waalwijk on April 13. On-site observation remains the most valuable, wherever possible.
Centralization and networking
Beyond these precious pairs of eyes who travel the globe in search of young gems or potential transfers, Fergal Harkin relies on the network of 777 Football Group, the football branch of 777 Partners.
The different clubs in the galaxy (Hertha Berlin, Genoa, Vasco da Gama, Red Star) centralize the data and reports of all its scouts for the purpose of pooling. “We placed a strong emphasis on scouting and data analysis, had confided Johannes Spors, the group’s “Global Sports Director” to the German media Kickerwho himself does not hesitate to suggest names. All head scouts and athletic directors meet regularly.”
At Standard, 777 Partners is (officially) not giving up the deal
With inter-club mutual assistance whenever this can be useful to the different parties. This season, Wilfried Kanga, Kelvin Yeboah and Seydou Fini, three club players belonging to 777 Partners, are playing at Standard, with the objective of helping the RSCL sportingly while hoping for a spotlight… and an increase in their market value .
This win-win operation should be repeated in the coming weeks. Midfielder Zé Gabriel (25), under contract at Vasco da Gama, has been followed for months. Given the important deadlines last winter, the Brazilian club refused to let him leave in January, but could give in this summer.
An involved coach
Finally, there remains the networking solution and internal proposals. “The coach is involved. No player comes without being informed,” Harkin told us at the end of March.
We know that Leko is participating in targeting reinforcements for next season. The coach has presented several profiles recently. “Leko can come with a request, I look at it, I evaluate and we see if we can find a solution or not.”
In January, the Croatian mentioned the name of Simen Juklerod, whom he had worked with in Antwerp in 2020, but management finally opted for Souleyman Doumbia – free and therefore free – to strengthen the left side of his defense. As for the lead from Japanese defender Hayato Araki (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), studied in recent months, it comes from the management agency which manages Hayao Kawabe.
Given the situation of Standard, all good leads are welcome.
