JibrinLeicester City have unveiled their revamped leadership structure with James McCarron installed as sporting director and Kevin Davies elevated to chief executive.
A planned restructuring of the club’s senior positions emerged last year as City look to halt their worrying descent down the standings. Now, those changes have been formalised.
McCarron arrives from City Football Group, which oversees Manchester City and their affiliate clubs, where he served as director of player development. Joining at the end of March, McCarron will answer to Jon Rudkin, who now holds the title of chief football officer.
Meanwhile, Davies moves up from finance director to assume the role of chief executive, succeeding Susan Whelan, who occupied the position for 14 years before her exit last autumn.
City’s restructured leadership:
Owner and chairman: Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha.
Chief executive: Kevin Davies. A Leicester native, he’s been with the club for 15 years, and progresses from his position as finance director, a role he has held since May 2023.
Chief football officer: Jon Rudkin. A focus of supporter frustration in recent years, Rudkin transitions to a new role with executive responsibility for the men’s and women’s teams. He will answer to the board.
Sporting director: James McCarron. McCarron will concentrate on the men’s team, guiding the club in performance, analysis, player development and recruitment, assuming many of the duties and choices previously handled by Rudkin, to whom he will report.
Commercial director: Russell Jones. He previously served as general manager of marketing and commercial growth at Wolves, but now arrives at City to maximise their revenue potential.
Head of recruitment: Martyn Glover. He continues to lead the recruitment department and will answer to McCarron.
Manager: Gary Rowett. In charge until the season’s conclusion, Rowett serves as head coach and manages the men’s first team. McCarron will be involved in any decision regarding Rowett’s future or replacement.
McCarron represents the most pivotal addition, as he will assume control of a football operation that has underperformed in recent years.
He brings prior experience as a sporting director, at Belgian second-tier side Lommel, and arrives from the City Football Group, whose structure is highly regarded inside the King Power Stadium.
McCarron will shape City’s strategy and identity, which will be reflected in their managerial selections and player recruitment and development.
City aim to establish a distinct division between the football and commercial departments, ensuring each individual concentrates solely on their specific domain.
Davies takes over from Whelan, stepping up from his position as finance director. Davies assumed that role while the club was in crisis over their Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Although the club incurred a points deduction for their finances covering the three years up to the end of the 23-24 season, the damage originated from the 21-22 and 22-23 campaigns, prior to Davies’ appointment.
During Davies’ first complete year as finance director, City made progress toward PSR compliance, with their points deduction lowered from seven to six points in recognition of that positive trajectory.
With Davies transitioning to chief executive, the club are now seeking a new finance director.
Alongside these new appointments, City are retaining interim managing director Kamonthip ‘Monica’ Netthanomsak to oversee commercial and operational matters.
Jibrin
