Milan is reportedly considering Johannes Spors for a key position within the club's sporting department, according to reports in the Italian press. Spors, currently a scouting executive, previously served as Genoa’s sporting director during a seven-month period under the ownership of 777 Partners.
Those familiar with Spors’ work at Genoa describe him as analytical and data-driven, a precursor to the modern approach of utilizing big data in player recruitment. He initially joined Genoa in the autumn of 2021, tasked with navigating a difficult situation following the departure of previous ownership and the arrival of coach Shevchenko. He was brought in by 777 Partners, the American investment fund that recently faced financial difficulties.
Spors’ methodology involved identifying talent through data analysis and scouting platforms, but also possessing a critical eye to avoid being misled by superficial scouting reports. An example cited is his ability to quickly identify a manipulated video showcasing a player with artificially enhanced speed. During his time at Genoa, Spors oversaw the potential acquisitions of players such as Vecino, Miranchuk, Castillejo, and Strand Larsen, and notably structured a unique loan deal for Piccoli from Atalanta, where the loan fee decreased based on the player’s playing time.
He also identified Ostigard, who has since significantly increased in value after Genoa secured his permanent transfer. Spors attempted to bring in several coaches during his tenure, including Rudi Garcia and Pal Dardai, ultimately seeing the appointment of Blessin, another figure with ties to the Red Bull footballing system. Beyond player recruitment, Spors also sought to implement changes in areas such as nutrition and the psychological preparation of the team.
Spors’ role at Genoa concluded with his promotion to Group Sporting Director for all clubs within the 777 Partners portfolio, a position he held until the fund’s recent financial issues. His connection to Ralf Rangnick, a prominent figure in German football, is also highlighted, with both having links to Helmut Gross, a long-time mentor to Rangnick. The potential appointment of Spors at Milan would signal a continued emphasis on data-driven decision-making and a modern approach to player recruitment, aligning with Rangnick’s footballing philosophy.
