Wednesday have announced Kevin Beadell as our new Head of Recruitment.
Beadell has had several years of experience at top-level English football and arrives at S6 in time for the important January transfer window.
He joined Manchester United in a recruitment role in 2001, working with the club’s youth and first teams during a highly successful time for them under Sir Alex Ferguson, before moving to Arsenal in 2010 and spending 10 years there, working alongside Arsene Wenger in a role which saw him identifying emerging talent from throughout Europe.
Beadell, 47, then spent three years as Head of Recruitment at Cardiff City before leaving the role in the summer.
He told the Wednesday club website today: “After leaving Cardiff, I had a chat with the chairman here and we spoke about the club, the vision and how it’s quite exciting the way things are moving forward.
“I watched the Leicester game live and I was really enthused with the crowd and the environment that was there, a great stadium and the team performances are really improving.
“After talking to the manager, it was really encouraging to hear and understand his vision and I’ve got a great feeling around him and the coaching staff he’s brought in.
“I think the way he’s trying to play is clear and exciting for people to watch.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming transfer window, he said: “My experience will allow us to look at all markets. I like to think I’ve been particularly strong within the loan markets with relationships I have at the big clubs, so that’s an important avenue for us.
“But we’re open, and so is the manager, in looking at all markets. Players that are experienced in England and the Championship, which we know is a very tough league but also, equally, we will look at markets in Europe, the MLS and other emerging areas.”
Reflecting on the decision to join Wednesday, Beadell added: “It’s a really good environment and that was one of the main things that made me make the decision to come here.
“I know the league position isn’t where we want it to be at the moment but I fully believe with the coaching environment I’ve seen, the staff the manager has around him and additions in the January window, we have every opportunity to progress in the second part of the season.”