Nottingham Forest have confirmed the departure of chief executive Dane Murphy “by mutual consent”.
The American’s exit had been on the cards for some time. And while it comes in the middle of the January window, it is unlikely to greatly affect the Reds’ transfer plans for this month.
The direct impact Murphy had at the City Ground had decreased in recent times. And head coach Steve Cooper has already underlined the role sporting director Filippo Giraldi would play in this window.
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Giraldi was appointed in October and has worked closely with Cooper since. During nine years at Watford - who he joined as chief scout, before going on to become technical director - he oversaw the signing of experienced players such as Etienne Capoue, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Gerard Deulofeu, while young talent such as Richarlison, Ismaila Sarr and Joao Pedro also came in.
Cooper explained earlier this month how having Giraldi in place would make for a different transfer window compared to previous ones he has experienced as Forest boss. The axing of head of data and analytic recruitment George Syrianos and head of scouting Andy Scott had also altered the recruitment set-up.
“What’s different between the last window and this window is Filippo is in now, as sporting director,” Cooper has previously said. “Sporting directors take a lot of responsibility for transfer windows.
“We’re working really closely with Filippo on a daily basis and communication lines are good. We are all joined-up with our thinking. My job, ultimately, is to train and coach the players that are here, trusting that everybody else is working hard to try to improve us.
“It has definitely been a positive step to have somebody in that role. It is very common now.
“You can see the benefits of having somebody like Filippo in and the workload he can take up. It is definitely a positive thing for the club to appoint a sporting director. I thought that at the time, and thought it before, to be honest.
“I want to be a head coach, there’s no doubt about that. Okay, what’s the difference between a head coach and a manager? Not much sometimes because a leader is a leader.
“But to be working with an experienced sporting director, for me, is a positive thing. And more importantly, it is a positive thing for the club as well.”
Asked who would have the final say on transfers, he added: “It’s a joined-up approach, there’s no doubt about that. It’s different now, in this window, because of Filippo and because there has been some changes to the recruitment team.
“Communication lines are good. But my focus really has got to be just on the players who are available to train on a daily basis, because ultimately that’s what my job is.”
Gustavo Scarpa is the only new arrival at the City Ground so far in the window, on the back of 22 signings made last summer. Forest are targeting further business, however, with strengthening at centre-back, in midfield and in attack a priority.
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