Stanton the latest to turn down Forest Green Director of Football job
Stanton worked for Bristol City for seven years and has been with Southampton since January 2021
Written by Simon Austin — October 31, 2022
SAM STANTON, Southampton's Lead Scout for the south of the UK, has turned down the Director of Football role at Forest Green Rovers.
The League One side are looking for a replacement for Rich Hughes, who left last month after more than four years to join rivals Portsmouth. Forest Green have already suffered setbacks in trying to fill the important role, with both Andy Scott, who was recently sacked as Nottingham Forest’s Head of Scouting after 10 months, and Cheltenham Town Director of Football Micky Moore turning it down.
Forest Green asked Southampton for permission to speak to Stanton, who has been with them since January 2021. He was previously Head of Analysis at Bristol City and is 18 months into a Masters in Sporting Directorship.
The Director of Football position is particularly crucial at Forest Green, as it saw Hughes doubling up as Head of Recruitment. The side are currently in the relegation zone in League One, in 22nd place, having been promoted under Rob Edwards last season.
Meanwhile, Stevie Grieve has been appointed as the club’s new Head of Performance and Recruitment.
His most recent role was at SPFL side St. Johnstone as Head of Recruitment, while he was Head of Analysis and Opposition Scouting at Dundee United between the summer of 2019 and 2021.
The 35-year-old’s role will be "to support the Head Coach in preparation for the January transfer window", as well as "reviewing and improving performance aspects behind the scenes," Forest Green said.
Grieve will oversee analysis, sports science and "aspects of the training ground environment", including having "an input on the set-up and design of our upcoming training ground at the site of Eco Park."
Grieve appeared on TGG's Scouting and Recruitment Webinar earlier this year.
