re: US Soccer hires Matt Crocker as Sporting Director

Southampton's collapse this season is entirely a function of disastrous new ownership that took over in 2022 (he was hired in his current role in 2020). They completely neutered his decision-making and responsibilities to the point that he was completely kept out of all transfer decisions last summer. Saints fans want the current ownership group executed and are not rejoicing at Crocker's departure on social media for a reason. He is entirely absolved.

(FWIW 15th is not a terrible season for Southampton either and that's right where they rank on wages. They have refused to go down for 11 years which is a tremendous accomplishment for a club of its stature)

He has an excellent player development pedigree from his two Southampton stints and time at the England FA. He played a big hand in making Southampton one of the best in Europe at talent development - it's an absurd list of names. He'll ultimately be judged on the quality of his hires but pleasantly surprised at the Federation for actually dropping the nepotism nonsense in favor of a qualified candidate