Stuart Webber
Stuart Webber (born 15 April 1984) is a Welsh football director. Webber was most recently the Sporting Director of EFL Championship club Norwich City.[1] He was also previously Head of Football Operations at Huddersfield Town.[2]
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Stuart Webber | ||
Date of birth | 15 April 1984 | ||
Place of birth | Aberystwyth, Wales | ||
Managerial career | |||
Years | Team | ||
2002–2009 | Wrexham (Head of Youth) | ||
2009–2012 | Liverpool (Director of Recruitment) | ||
2012–2013 | Queens Park Rangers (Head of Scouting) | ||
2013–2015 | Wolverhampton Wanderers (Head of Scouting) | ||
2015–2017 | Huddersfield Town (Director of Football) | ||
2017–2023 | Norwich City (Sporting Director) |
Career
Webber's career in football started when he attended Northop College, Flintshire. As part of a work experience placement he got a job as part of the ground staff at Wrexham. At Wrexham he moved onto coaching the academy,[3] eventually becoming Head of Youth Development.[4]
In July 2009, Webber left Wrexham to become Director of Recruitment at Liverpool working alongside managers like Rafa Benitez and Kenny Dalglish.[4]
In August 2012, Webber left Liverpool to take up a position at Queens Park Rangers as Head of Scouting.[4] before becoming Head of Recruitment in January 2013 at Wolverhampton Wanderers[5]
Webber became Head of Football Operations at Huddersfield Town in June 2015,[4] becoming instrumental in the recruitment of players that got Huddersfield promoted to the Premier League.[6]
In April 2017, he became Sporting Director at Norwich City, and oversaw another promotion to the Premier League.[6]On 13 June 2023, the club announced that Webber had handed in his notice and would be leaving the club within the next twelve months.[7] He will officially leave his post on 27 November 2023, when Ben Knapper takes over his role at the club.[8]
Controversy
In May 2022, Webber came under criticism for his role in the relegation of Norwich City from the Premier League at a protest outside of Carrow Road.[9]
In June 2023, Webber received further criticism for his comments on women's football, saying the quality of football played by Norwich City’s women's team in a game against Ashford Town at Carrow Road was "really poor".[10]
References
- Percy, John; Law, Matt (13 November 2018). "Southampton consider approach for Norwich technical director Stuart Webber". Retrieved 23 July 2019 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
- "Club statement: Start Webber appointed Sporting Director". www.canaries.co.uk. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- Coleman, Tom (13 June 2019). "The little-known Welshman now linked with top Man Utd job". walesonline. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- "Stuart Webber joins Huddersfield Town". www.htafc.com. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- "Wolves: Stuart Webber appointed as head of recruitment". 3 January 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- "Stuart Webber: Who is Norwich City's new sporting director?". ITV News. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- "Stuart Webber updates on Norwich City future". Norwich City F.C. 13 June 2023.
- "Norwich City announce Ben Knapper as Sporting Director". Norwich City F.C. 6 October 2023.
- "Fan protests after Norwich City's 4-0 defeat to West Ham". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
- "Canaries fans speak out on Stuart Webber's women's football comments". Norwich Evening News. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.