Perceptions of role ambiguity for Sporting Directors in professional football

Figures & data

Table 1. A summary of participant background information

Participant background information

FIFA council member English FA Director and Member of FA Women’s Football Board Professional Football Association representation (i.e. involved in the management of professional male and female English footballers) Owner of an English Premier League Club Owner of a USA National Women’s Soccer League Club Director of Football at an English Premier League Club Director of Football and former Manager/Head Coach at a Professional Women’s Club General Manager of a Professional Women’s Club in the USA National Women’s Soccer League Manager/Head Coach of a Football Club in the USA National Women’s Soccer League and Former Manager/Head Coach of a English FA Women’s Super League Club Manager/Head Coach of an English FA Women’s Super League Club Women’s football media representative Director of Football of an English Premier League Club Sporting Director of an English Championship Club Head of Recruitment of an English Championship League Club Vice Chairman of Football of an English Premier League Club Head of Football Operations of an English Championship Club Sporting Director of an English Premier League Club Director of Football of a Scottish Premier League Club Sporting Director of a German Bundesliga Club Director of Football of an English Premier League Club Director of Football of an English Championship Club

Table 2. Semi-structured interview schedule

Description of sections	Example questions
Phase 1 – Purpose, ethics, queries, and consent Aim: Detail the purpose of the study and the process of the interview (expected duration, interview schedule and aims). Explain the participant’s right to remain anonymous and withdraw at any time. Also invited to voluntarily provide informed consent and proceed with the interview.	‘Now you have had the purpose of the interview explained, are you happy to continue?’ ‘Do you understand that you have the right to withdraw at any time?’
Phase 2 – Introduction and familiarization Aim: To explore the participant’s background and experiences in order to obtain an insight into the participant’s involvement in his or her sport and enable rapport to develop between the interviewer and participant.	‘Can you please tell me about your background and how you got to where you are today?’ ‘How would you describe the current state of football, successes, and challenges?’
Section 3 – The Sporting Director role. Aim: Significant and/or critical experiences. Focused on questions relating to current structures in place; roles and responsibilities, capabilities for a Sporting Director; exploring participant experiences and thoughts on the role, including potential capabilities required for the role.	‘Can you explain what the term Sporting Director means to you?’ ‘Can you outline the key roles and responsibilities associated with the Sporting Director role?’ ‘Can you describe the capabilities required for the Sporting Director role?’
Phase 4 – Challenges to the role and the future considerations. Aim: Summary questions, to explore the thoughts and perceptions of challenges and barriers to the role and the future of football.	‘Can you explain the current challenges for Sporting Directors?’ ‘Can you outline what you view as the future challenges for Sporting Directors?’
Phase 5 – End of interview Aim: Express an appreciation of the participant’s time and articulation of their experience and opinions, offer an opportunity for further clarification and/or dialogue	‘Are there any further comments you would like to add or questions you have?’

Table 3. Results themes and sub-themes

Overarching themes	Thematic sub-theme
The role of the Sporting Director	Perceptions of the role Job description clarity Communication