The Scottish Football Association has shortlisted Newcastle United's head of football strategy Jack Ross for its chief football officer role to replace Andy Gould
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Jack Ross(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
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Jack Ross is among the candidates the Scottish Football Association has shortlisted for the position of their new chief football officer.
The former Sunderland boss is currently serving as Newcastle United's head of football strategy, a role he was appointed into less than 12 months ago.
The 49-year-old is considered one of the frontrunners as the SFA looks to replace Andy Gould, who is departing to take up a senior role with FIFA.
Whether Ross can be convinced to leave his current position at Newcastle remains to be seen. His role sees him lead and oversee the club's emerging talent strategy.
It is a significant appointment for the SFA, as they search for the right candidate to deliver a world-class performance strategy, with the aim of fostering a winning culture for elite players from grassroots level right through to Steve Clarke's senior side, reports the Daily Record.
Ross brings a wealth of experience as both a player and manager, having taken charge at Alloa, St Mirren, Sunderland, Hibs and Dundee United.
He joined Newcastle in 2023, working his way up through the club's backroom structure. His initial role with the Magpies was as interim head of coach development, before being appointed to his current position in 2025.
As well as overseeing the club’s player loan and emerging talent strategy, Ross' role also sees him responsible for building strategic relationships with other clubs, introducing new football development and talent pathway opportunities in the UK and overseas.
The SFA has received a large number of applications and has conducted several rounds of interviews to whittle down their shortlist. A number of influential figures from some of Scotland's biggest clubs have also thrown their names into the mix alongside Ross.
The governing body are looking to fill yet another key vacancy, with head of men's elite strategy Chris Docherty also set to leave his post. Gould and Docherty have recently put together a revealing report examining how young Scottish players were nurtured between the ages of 16 and 21.
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