FERGAL Harkin doesn’t mind admitting he won’t always agree with head coach Steven Schumacher – in fact, he believes a certain amount of conflict will be good for the club.
Fergal Harkin approaches potential disagreements with head coach Steven Schumacher not as problems, but as catalysts for progress. Now nearing the end of his first month at Bolton, the former Standard Liège sporting director believes conflict “in moderation” can actually benefit the club – a mindset he’s ready to bring to his new position.
Harkin joins Bolton after a three-year stint at Standard Liège, where his role wasn’t without challenges. He managed all sporting affairs—from player recruitment to academy oversight—but faced turbulence when the club’s ownership plunged Standard into financial instability by late 2024.
Before his time in Belgium, Harkin spent 13 years with Manchester City, rising to Football Partnerships and Pathways Manager, and even worked at Nike. His playing career included spells at Leicester (while studying at Loughborough University), and over 100 appearances with Bohemian FC, plus time at Finn Harps—winning individual awards along the way.
At Bolton, Harkin oversees all aspects of football operations—from the academy and recruitment, to scouting and sports science—and reports directly to the board alongside head coach Schumacher.
Schumacher has already praised the early working relationship with Harkin:
“I’m really looking forward to working with him… We have been in regular contact even though he has been over there… But we’re realistic as well. It’s never easy… Other clubs go for good players as well, and you never get it all your own way.”
This alignment highlights the club’s fresh structural approach: a modern recruitment department led by Head of Recruitment Jimmy Dickinson—appointed June 5—and overseen by Harkin, signaling a new era at Bolton.
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