Gregor Rioch insists that Wigan Athletic’s continued lack of a permanent chief executive has not hampered them on or off the pitch.
Since Mike Danson’s takeover 15 months ago, Ben Goodburn has served as interim CEO in addition to his other roles. Although Goodburn hinted last summer that the club was looking for a full-time CEO, he told Wigan Today at the end of last season that they were ‘comfortable at the moment with the existing structure’. Rioch, the club’s sporting director, stated that the arrangement works well for him.
“I think people on the outside might not recognise the importance of Ben Goodburn to us at football club,” stated Rioch in an exclusive interview with Wigan Today. “When you go through what we went through last summer, around 15 months ago, it’s critical to keep lines of communication open. At the moment, it’s functioning quite well…communication is fluid and streamlined.”So, unlike in a football club, there may be too many individuals to go through to reach the top or make a decision, this is quite straightforward.
“I interact with Ben on a regular basis about everything football-related, including signing players.
“So, although with a football club, there may be too many people to go through to reach the top or make a decision, it is extremely simple here.
“I communicate with Ben on a daily basis, on all football matters and when it comes to signing players.”Myself, Shaun (Maloney), and Stevie (Gormal, head of recruitment) work on squad planning and development, and once I am given permission to connect with a player, I do so.
“What Ben does give us – and this must be due to his legal expertise – is that he asks very smart questions. He challenges us in a really constructive way, which sometimes causes us to think differently. It is critical to examine situations from a new perspective.
“There is good synergy; everything runs smoothly and seamlessly. Having direct contact with decision-makers helps us grow the club. This has worked incredibly well for us, which is why we were able to complete so many of our key goals this summer.
“Lucas [Danson, director] is incredibly hands-on; for example, he was here on Sunday for the first home game of the women’s team and is involved in numerous efforts behind the scenes to develop. “The football club.”
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