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#3 Michael Edwards (Liverpool)
While Jurgen Klopp has spearheaded the Liverpool revolution on the field, Michael Edwards' astuteness in the transfer market and in scouting as well as his strategic acumen has helped Liverpool get success on the pitch and make profits.
Edwards, a great data analyst on players, has not only made great signings at value like Mohamed Salah but has also negotiated brilliant sales such as that of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona.
Liverpool's freshness on the pitch, their European and domestic success and astuteness in the transfer market owes a lot to Edwards apart from the German genius Jurgen Klopp.
#2 Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Txiki Begiristain arrived at Manchester City with great pedigree, having been part of the backroom when the Pep Guardiola revolution at Barcelona was taking place. Guardiola assembled one of the greatest football teams of all time that went on to win everything possible.
Begiristain, a former Barca player, then moved to City and helped them get Guardiola. Thus began a new revolution at City that saw the club change its style of football to devastating effect as they became the team to beat in England.
His transfer strategy has worked wonders too as City have got some of the best continental talents during this spell such as Kevin De Bruyne. He has also actively scouted talents from around England, with Raheem Sterling joining City during his time. The only thing missing in the City cupboard is a UEFA Champions League trophy right now.
#1 Michael Zorc (Borussia Dortmund)
Michael Zorc made the role of the sporting director what it is today with the unbelievable turnaround he catalysed at Borussia Dortmund after taking over the role at the club. Zorc, a club legend as a player, retired at 36 and then took charge as the sporting director of the club during a period of crisis.
During the Zorc era, Dortmund have won three Bundesliga titles, two German Cups and even reached the Champions League final in 2013 where they were pipped to the post by fierce rivals Bayern Munich.
It isn't only his footballing nous that the club has gained from. Zorc has had unbelievable success in the transfer market as well.
After acquiring young but exciting talents such as Matts Hummels, Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gundogan, Dortmund turned them into superstars and then made a huge profit in the market through their sales. Thus, Dortmund could do well on the pitch as well as off it through Zorc's astute acquisitions.
The most recent example of Zorc's sagacity in the market has been the sale of Christian Pulisic to Chelsea, through which they got three top players including Thorgan Hazard.
As Dortmund continue to challenge the very best, Zorc's strategising from the shadows continues. The arrival of Jadon Sancho has been a revelation, and now Dortmund can ask for a huge price for one of the hottest prospects in club football.
Great coaches like Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel have worked with Zorc to take Dortmund to great heights. In fact, it was because Klopp arrived at Liverpool knowing this system that Edwards was hired at Merseyside, and Liverpool began their ascent.
