Source: Team_Talk
Houllier unveils scouting overhaul
Gerard Houllier is poised to expand the scope of Aston Villa's recruitment system after appointing Jeff Vetere as the club's new chief scout.[LNB] Houllier wants Vetere, who previously worked at Newcastle and Real Madrid and speaks seven languages, to set up a worldwide network to help Villa search out the best young talent both at home and abroad.[LNB]"We need to have a structure and somebody who has got a network," Houllier explained.[LNB]"It is good to have someone who knows that 'this one is at the end of his contract' or 'this one is available' or 'we should have a look at this one'.[LNB]"Some other clubs are far more equipped in terms of personnel for that."[LNB]Houllier revealed the spiralling cost of English talent is forcing teams to look farther afield in their efforts to seek out new players.[LNB]"Initially I prefer to have English players, but English players are usually more expensive than the rest," he said.[LNB]"If you look at teams like Bolton and Blackburn, they have players from everywhere in the world now so you need to have networks practically in all continents."[LNB]Discussing the qualities Vetere will bring to his new role, Houllier said: "He knows football inside out, he's got a lot of people and a good network.[LNB]"He can speak seven languages and now you need to have scouts that can travel. He will work closely to me.[LNB]"A lot of the people I interviewed were good, but the little details made all the difference."
