The Scottish Football Association has promoted one of Steve Clarke’s key backroom staff members to the role of performance director.
Graeme Jones has been appointed after spending the past six years as head of high performance at the SFA. Prior to that he had two years as head of football science and medicine within the association.
Jones’ new role will bring “performance oversight across men’s and women’s national teams from A squad down, with responsibility for implementing a world-class system and winning culture to ensure all international players – current and future – are inspired to deliver success”.
He is charged with leading all performance support areas within the association, including sports science, medicine, analysis, data, scouting and talent identification, for all international teams.
“I am extremely proud to be appointed performance director at such an exciting time for our national teams,” Jones told the SFA.
“Obviously the immediate priority is to prepare for UEFA EURO 2024 and the experience of UEFA EURO 2020, coupled with qualifying automatically, has enabled us to plan ahead and book our preferred training headquarters in Germany, as well as confirm our first two friendly matches, against Netherlands and Northern Ireland.
“Preparation is a key element of my new role and I look forward to reinforcing the excellent relationships I have with the respective national team head coaches as well as the players at the various stages of their international careers.”
Ian Maxwell, the SFA’s chief executive, added: “Graeme has been a respected member of the football department and the national teams’ set-ups for many years and this new role is in recognition of the part he has played in the success, most recently as an integral member of Steve Clarke’s backroom team within the men’s national team.”
“He is also well respected within the squads and by the club performance departments who are reliant on the information his team provide before, during and after every camp.”
