Sheffield Wednesday hoping new sporting director can lead 'aggressive' transfer push with Jamie Vardy linked
New chief executive David Bruce says Sheffield Wednesday have identified who they want as their sporting director, and hope to bring him in to start an "aggressive" assault on the transfer market.
As well as starting much-needed repairs off it, new owner David Storch plans to make an impact on the field, with reports they are targeting a move for Jamie Vardy.
They have been encouraged by selling over 10,000 season at the weekend. They are now hoping to break the club record for sales.
A sporting director, common in modern English football but not at Hillsborough, is part of their plans.
"We've identified a candidate who we really like, who I think will be a brilliant fit," Bruce told the club's website. "He's got a great experience and track record in the game.
"We're optimistic over the next couple of weeks we'll have some good news there."
Stockport County's Simon Wilson is thought to be the chosen candidate. The Hatters are in Sunday's League Two play-off final.
Once a sporting director is installed, focus will turn to the transfer window, which opens on June 15.
In the meantime work has started on improving Hillsborough and the club’s training complex.
"The infrastructure at the stadium and the training ground need work immediately," said Bruce, in a similar post at Sunderland for the past three years. "A lot of work should have happened a long time ago.
"The football side we've got some work to do there with Henrik (Pedersen, the manager) and the team.
"We have to be really aggressive and active in the transfer market as soon as the window opens."
Bruce and Storch have emphasised the important of supporters to what is being billed a "rebirth" of the 158-year-old club.
"We were a little bit shocked by the response,” said Bruce of season ticket sales. “To sell over 10,000 in 24 hours was incredible. We'd like to break a record, which is 21,000."
Sheffield-born Vardy joined Cremonese in September on a one-year deal with an option to extend. The 39-year-old has played over 2,000 Serie A minutes, scoring seven goals.
An Owls fan, he was released aged 16 and worked up from non-league to win the Premier League at Leicester City and play for England.