It seems to me that the club handle player contracts, signings, retentions and development (Promotion or not of young players) exclusively at board level.



I know in football there are always managers moaning about the board doing deals there weren't keen on, but in league it seems as though they are all done like this. Clubs will often sign players even though their coach isn't working for them at that stage.



For example Saints had completed our recruitment for this season before Royce Simmons was appointed. Bradford signed Paul Sykes to a long contract whilst managerless etc. If this is the case how come we don't see more high profile 'director of rugby' types in league? Do these positions exist and I'm just not aware of them?



Am I right about this? Is is McManus who decides who gets a new deal and who we sign?

Probably, though I expect there is input form various backroom staff.



It's no major difference than most European football clubs really. The coach is a head coach, not a manager.

I assume that the coach will out line the most important positions that need strengthening and which players are preferable, the board members and management will then then try and do the business side, making sure the terms of capturing said player are practical business for the club.

So who would have done this for Saints? Mick Potter? Or would Royce have done it prior to being appointed?



I can't see it being Royce as it wouldn't know enough about LMS or Shenton presumably.

I guess our positional needs didn't come all of a sudden, so mick would have had an input through the season. Perhaps Keiron Purtill as well. I don't see how Royce could have had much bearing on the Shenton and LMS signings, and I'm pretty sure Ted was signed before him.



I think its fair to say its a collective effort, but the board are the ones with the final say as they write the cheques.

most clubs have a 'football manager' who looks after contracts and deals with agents etc. It would be them, in conjunction with the coaching staff who make decisions.

And who is that for Saints?

George Osbourne

Me. Have you got a problem?

"most clubs" = Salford and what a job Steve Simms does.

A few years ago Kel Coslett was football manager, but not at present.

now he is gameday manager

Not at all.