Manager selection update part 2

[silent majority]

Following further conversations with Gavin, this is how the Manager search now stands.

Since the initial applications, which numbered about 120, were whittled down to about 80, Gavin and David Blunt have met and reduced that even further to approx. 16.

As mentioned before the process will then include a period where the club attempts to get behind the statistics and endeavours to get a better idea of the capabilities of the applicants by speaking to known colleagues and acquaintances, in some ways a very wide group of references that would support an application. That process involved Gavin making over 500 telephone calls to friends, players, managers, associates, owners and even supporters who could give their view on the applicant’s successes so far and how they feel they would be good for this role.

That then enabled DRFC to select 8 applicants that they want to see in an initial interview situation. 3 will be interviewed this Friday, and then a further 5 on Tuesday of next week.

However, before those interviews take place each of the interviewees will receive a pack of information from the club. The pack will contain information about Club Doncaster which will detail the club structure, the resources that will be made available to the successful candidate, information covering the clubs’ objectives (finish in the top 6 for example) and the club philosophy and desire to be constantly competing as well as we can. The idea is to be totally transparent about what will be expected of them once in position, and the interview process will focus on how they see themselves meeting those expectations with the resources that will be made available.

After the initial interview, the board will select 2/3 who will be invited back for a final interview on Thursday. However, the selection process does not get any easier as they will have to undergo Psychometric testing carried out by a company who specialise in this procedure. This of course is designed to identify how the individual reacts to pressure, whether they are resilient, and essentially details their personality once in post. Some slight changes this time around will be to focus on how the individual feels about undertaking projects and the level of their commitment to seeing those projects completed.

After this second round of interviews and the result of the Psychometric testing is known and evaluated, the successful applicant will engage in contract negotiations on Thursday afternoon with a view to being appointed that day. Part of the contract negotiations will be altered slightly this time by inserting clauses into the contract with specific regard to the projects not being completed as agreed, or compensation payments agreed that suit DRFC better.
I think what we can all see in the above is that the very through process is designed to find someone that suits DRFC, and that the slight changes made to this process reflect our recent experience with managers who view us as an excellent career path.

My thanks to Gavin for all the above detail, and his patience in answering my questions!

[DearneValleyRover]

Fantastic news Martin and thank you for letting us know, fully on board with psychometric testing, we use it as a person cannot hide their personality traits.

[Janso]

Part of the contract negotiations will be altered slightly this time by inserting clauses into the contract with specific regard to the projects not being completed as agreed

What does this mean exactly?

[Monkcaster_Rover]

Some intense stuff!

Fingers crossed Mr. Buckingham comes through with flying colours.

Thank you for the update, SM.

[silent majority]

Fantastic news Martin and thank you for letting us know, fully on board with psychometric testing, we use it as a person cannot hide their personality traits.

The club have always done it DVR, but I was pleased that there was emphasis on changing it to reflect certain traits this time!!

[silent majority]

Part of the contract negotiations will be altered slightly this time by inserting clauses into the contract with specific regard to the projects not being completed as agreed

What does this mean exactly?

I'm not going into detail on which specific clauses will be inserted into a managers contract, its not my place or appropriate, but the idea is to 'persuade' individuals to remain at the club and see the project through.

[GazLaz]

Second interview on Thursday then contract negotiations that afternoon... or the following Thursday? Feels like a quick decision made after the second interviews if it’s the same day. 

[Filo]

Can’t fault the thoroughness of that at all, I’m sure as usual some will not like the appointment, some will be indifferent and some will be pleased

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Thanks for the updates. Good to hear a bit more detail about the process and what's of them.

If any of them think they are too big to go through all that then bye bye!

[silent majority]

Second interview on Thursday then contract negotiations that afternoon... or the following Thursday? Feels like a quick decision made after the second interviews if it’s the same day. 

Same day Gaz. I wrote that down when Gavin mentioned it, and in my notes it looks like this; 

'Offer and contract negotiations on Thursday afternoon (in theory)'

The' in theory' bit means it could spill over into Friday.

[silent majority]

Can’t fault the thoroughness of that at all, I’m sure as usual some will not like the appointment, some will be indifferent and some will be pleased

As always this process does identify 'left of field' candidates, its how we identified Grant McCann who'd done 6 months with Peterborough before being sacked.

[GazLaz]

Second interview on Thursday then contract negotiations that afternoon... or the following Thursday? Feels like a quick decision made after the second interviews if it’s the same day. 

Same day Gaz. I wrote that down when Gavin mentioned it, and in my notes it looks like this; 

'Offer and contract negotiations on Thursday afternoon (in theory)'

The' in theory' bit means it could spill over into Friday.

I suppose the second part of the process is to cement the findings in the first as opposed to radically changing opinion.

[silent majority]

Second interview on Thursday then contract negotiations that afternoon... or the following Thursday? Feels like a quick decision made after the second interviews if it’s the same day. 

Same day Gaz. I wrote that down when Gavin mentioned it, and in my notes it looks like this; 

'Offer and contract negotiations on Thursday afternoon (in theory)'

The' in theory' bit means it could spill over into Friday.

I suppose the second part of the process is to cement the findings in the first as opposed to radically changing opinion.

I would think so, it's generally been that way on previous occasions.

[WarwickRover]

A fantastic process, psychometric testing, absolutely brilliant....... for a FTSE 100 CEO appointment.FFS. We need a top coach with innovative approach and a philosophy of playing offensive football. I’m guessing any manager/coach currently employed will not have applied if they knew what the interview process is

[drfchound]

Can’t fault the thoroughness of that at all, I’m sure as usual some will not like the appointment, some will be indifferent and some will be pleased

You don’t say.

[silent majority]

A fantastic process, psychometric testing, absolutely brilliant....... for a FTSE 100 CEO appointment.FFS. We need a top coach with innovative approach and a philosophy of playing offensive football. I’m guessing any manager/coach currently employed will not have applied if they knew what the interview process is

You obviously haven't been in many interviews these days then as testing is quite normal. The company I work for do it all the time.

As for identifying the type of coach you describe then this process served us well when appointing DF, GMcC and DM so why not now?

[Lesonthewest]

Thanks for the update, very thorough.

[LincolnDonny]

Excellent Report
thanks for letting us know the process

Onwards and upwards

 

[PDX_Rover]

All applicants must go down the death slide at Pet’s Corner, Sundown Gardens or whatever it is called now... is it still going, in fact?

Also, I think there should be bear wrestling. And drinks with Duggie.

[DearneValleyRover]

All applicants must go down the death slide at Pet’s Corner, Sundown Gardens or whatever it is called now... is it still going, in fact?

Also, I think there should be bear wrestling. And drinks with Duggie.

Drinks with Duggie? Not sure any candidate would pass that test

[redandwhitearmy]

One Richie Wellens..

[WarwickRover]

A fantastic process, psychometric testing, absolutely brilliant....... for a FTSE 100 CEO appointment.FFS. We need a top coach with innovative approach and a philosophy of playing offensive football. I’m guessing any manager/coach currently employed will not have applied if they knew what the interview process is

You obviously haven't been in many interviews these days then as testing is quite normal. The company I work for do it all the time.

As for identifying the type of coach you describe then this process served us well when appointing DF, GMcC and DM so why not now?

A fantastic process, psychometric testing, absolutely brilliant....... for a FTSE 100 CEO appointment.FFS. We need a top coach with innovative approach and a philosophy of playing offensive football. I’m guessing any manager/coach currently employed will not have applied if they knew what the interview process is

You obviously haven't been in many interviews these days then as testing is quite normal. The company I work for do it all the time.

As for identifying the type of coach you describe then this process served us well when appointing DF, GMcC and DM so why not now?

Yes I'm sure they do testing at your company all the time But DRFC are not appointing someone for your company

Don't get me wrong the process is thorough and has a lot of merit but what psychometric testing will bring I'm not so sure.

It would be interesting to know, if at all applicable, what the psychrometric testing results were for DF, GM and DM. Perhaps they scored very high on seeing a job through and loyalty to staff, peers and superiors.

[normal rules]

Part of the contract negotiations will be altered slightly this time by inserting clauses into the contract with specific regard to the projects not being completed as agreed

What does this mean exactly?

I would imagine it’s to prevent prospective managers from doing a “Moore”. But they too polite and professional to actually say it.

[DearneValleyRover]

A fantastic process, psychometric testing, absolutely brilliant....... for a FTSE 100 CEO appointment.FFS. We need a top coach with innovative approach and a philosophy of playing offensive football. I’m guessing any manager/coach currently employed will not have applied if they knew what the interview process is

You obviously haven't been in many interviews these days then as testing is quite normal. The company I work for do it all the time.

As for identifying the type of coach you describe then this process served us well when appointing DF, GMcC and DM so why not now?

A fantastic process, psychometric testing, absolutely brilliant....... for a FTSE 100 CEO appointment.FFS. We need a top coach with innovative approach and a philosophy of playing offensive football. I’m guessing any manager/coach currently employed will not have applied if they knew what the interview process is

You obviously haven't been in many interviews these days then as testing is quite normal. The company I work for do it all the time.

As for identifying the type of coach you describe then this process served us well when appointing DF, GMcC and DM so why not now?

Yes I'm sure they do testing at your company all the time But DRFC are not appointing someone for your company

Don't get me wrong the process is thorough and has a lot of merit but what psychometric testing will bring I'm not so sure.

It would be interesting to know, if at all applicable, what the psychrometric testing results were for DF, GM and DM. Perhaps they scored very high on seeing a job through and loyalty to staff, peers and superiors.

It would appear that the parameters have been changed in what they are testing for according to Sm. It’s a very targeted process and I’m sure given our last 2 managers the testing will take that into account

[turnbull for england]

A fantastic process, psychometric testing, absolutely brilliant....... for a FTSE 100 CEO appointment.FFS. We need a top coach with innovative approach and a philosophy of playing offensive football. I’m guessing any manager/coach currently employed will not have applied if they knew what the interview process is

You obviously haven't been in many interviews these days then as testing is quite normal. The company I work for do it all the time.

As for identifying the type of coach you describe then this process served us well when appointing DF, GMcC and DM so why not now?

had it for my last interview in  local social housing

[Draytonian III]

All applicants must go down the death slide at Pet’s Corner, Sundown Gardens or whatever it is called now... is it still going, in fact?

Also, I think there should be bear wrestling. And drinks with Duggie.

Yes it is and so is Douggie

[turnbull for england]

A fantastic process, psychometric testing, absolutely brilliant....... for a FTSE 100 CEO appointment.FFS. We need a top coach with innovative approach and a philosophy of playing offensive football. I’m guessing any manager/coach currently employed will not have applied if they knew what the interview process is

You obviously haven't been in many interviews these days then as testing is quite normal. The company I work for do it all the time.

As for identifying the type of coach you describe then this process served us well when appointing DF, GMcC and DM so why not now?

had it for my last interview in  local social housing

Part of the contract negotiations will be altered slightly this time by inserting clauses into the contract with specific regard to the projects not being completed as agreed

What does this mean exactly?

I would imagine it’s to prevent prospective managers from doing a “Moore”. But they too polite and professional to actually say it.

Part of the contract negotiations will be altered slightly this time by inserting clauses into the contract with specific regard to the projects not being completed as agreed

What does this mean exactly?

I would imagine it’s to prevent prospective managers from doing a “Moore”. But they too polite and professional to actually say it.

It's a very professional way of saying 'we won't stop you doing a Moore , but it'll cost you '

[Filo]

Can’t fault the thoroughness of that at all, I’m sure as usual some will not like the appointment, some will be indifferent and some will be pleased

You don’t say.

For someone who whinges like hell when someone jumps on your posts, you don’t do a bad job yourself, I’ve started to ignore your posts that serve no purpose than to pour petrol on the fire, this post is an exception ofcourse

[belton rover]

Again, fascinating. Thanks SM.

[normal rules]

75% of the Times top 100 companies use psychometric testing as part of their recruitment process, perhaps proving that it is still regarded as key to any good appointment.

It’s an interesting topic for testing the potential for the role of football manager


The personality test and the personality questionnaire are used to determine a candidate's typical reactions and attitudes to various situations. These tests might try to identify how well you get on with others, your normal reaction to stressful situations, or your feelings about the kind of people you like to work with.

Employers look at many factors during the recruitment process, from your knowledge and experience through to your aptitude in areas such as decision making and teamwork. Increasingly, they will use personality tests as a way to determine if you have the right attitude and personality to fit in with the company’s culture and vision.


As far as I understand it, this testing looks at three areas. Aptitude, skills and personality.
I suppose football management is a pretty niche area when it comes to employment. Ability to work as a team, work under pressure, ability to get the most of of your people etc.
Verbal reasoning I would imagine is a key area, but personality must be the highest priority area imho.

Myers Briggs is one of the most commonly used personality tests. After progressing through a series of questions, you will be assigned to one of sixteen personality types based on your responses. Employers then review this personality type to see if you would fit in with their organisational values.

I’ve been in plenty of interviews though to know that, if you are switched on and you stick to an interview model.it’s normally quite easy to interpret a question and tell interviewers what they want to hear, providing you can evidence your responses. Likewise with psychometric questioning.