[article=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/frank-mcparland-sporting-director-10.12.13-1227056.aspx#TaMyPftkPajcjRwo.99]Brentford Football Club have appointed Frank McParland as Sporting Director.
Frank has joined The Bees until at least the end of the 2013/14 season and steps in to the role vacated by Mark Warburton.
Mark was named as Brentford Manager earlier today, replacing Uwe Rösler, who left the Club on Saturday to take up the managerial position at Wigan Athletic.
Frank had been Director of Academy and Head of Player Development at Liverpool until last month.
He had previously worked at Anfield as Chief Scout from 2003 to 2007, was General Manager at Bolton Wanderers from 2007 to 2008 and Chief Scout at Watford until 2009.
Frank, 54, returned to Liverpool in 2009 and was appointed as Academy Director by Rafael Benítez.
He worked with Benítez until his departure in 2010 and then Roy Hodgson, now England Manager, Kenny Dalglish and current Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.
Cliff Crown, Brentford FC Chairman – who also acts as Chief Financial Officer and business adviser to a number of companies in which Matthew Benham has a financial interest, said: “As I said when we confirmed Mark Warburton’s appointment, Matthew was very clear about what he wanted.
“Our belief is that a First Team Manager working with a Sporting Director is the right way for the Club to be run.
“A manager in modern football cannot deal with recruitment and agents as well as taking control of a group of players to the best of his ability.
“It is too much for one person.
“Frank has a fantastic background, working for one of the top clubs in the country.
“He is an expert in player recruitment and development, believes passionately – as we do – in bringing players through the Academy to the First Team and has some superb contacts.
“Mark Warburton knows Frank well and we are happy they can work together.
“The important thing for us when appointing a new management team was continuity, building on all that has been achieved this season and in the past two and a half years.
“We believe Frank can help us do that.”[/article]
Benitez:
[article=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/rafa-benitez-manchester-city-missed-a-golden-opportunity-to-win-their-group--why-no-one-told-manuel-pellegrini-just-doesnt-add-up-9001745.html]McParland and Borrell exits signal the end of an era
There have been changes at Liverpool since I last wrote, with Frank McParland and Rodolfo Borrell leaving their positions in the Academy there. It was a surprise for me. I remember Kenny Dalglish praising the great job they were doing and the number of young players coming from the Academy in the last years.
I know for experience how difficult it was to start with new ideas and I was really pleased with the results in the first year, after I asked them to help create an Academy that could create players for the first team. But it is not for me to criticise the decision: just to wish the best to both, very good professionals. It is good to see that Frank has a chance to work with a new club at Brentford, who will benefit from his skills.[/article]
