Tony Khan, son of Shahid Khan, Chairman of Fulham Football Club, has been appointed as Vice Chairman and Director of Football Operations, effective immediately.
Upon accepting his new role at Fulham, Tony Khan made two immediate appointments by promoting Brian Talbot as Assistant Director of Football Operations and Chief Scout, and elevating Craig Kline to Assistant Director of Football Operations and Director of Statistical Research. Talbot and Kline will each report directly to Tony Khan.
Tony Khan is an owner of both FFC and the Jacksonville Jaguars, a National Football League team based in the United States where he holds the title of Senior Vice President, Football Technology & Analytics.
He is also the owner and chairman of TruMedia Networks, a Boston-based engineering firm specialising in sports analytics solutions for leagues, franchises, and media partners across the sports industry.
“Today’s appointment brings a formal structure and recognition to the role that Tony has recently played on the football side of our Club and especially since the conclusion of last season,” Shahid Khan said.
“Tony has served the Club quietly but faithfully and extremely well during that time. He brings new practices to what we’re doing but not at the expense of what would be considered traditional and proven methods.
“It’s important to remember there is no industry in the world that is succeeding today by doing things exactly the same way as they did yesterday, yet there are also some basic principles of success that are timeless.
“Tony has respect for the old and new, and that’s what we need to achieve the goal of returning to the Premier League in a manner that is responsible and sustainable for a long time.
“Tony also understands the scrutiny and responsibility that will come with this assignment.”
In 2015, Tony Khan created the statistical research department at Fulham, where his aim was to complement classic scouting methods by analysing football player performance and developing proprietary football performance metrics to aid the Club’s efforts to gain promotion back into the English Premier League.
He broadened his scope of responsibilities in 2016 when he actively immersed himself in all facets of the football operations at Fulham, including working with Head Coach Slaviša Jokanović and the entire football staff during the summer transfer period to build the current FFC squad.
“I have to applaud our current team and the strides our Club has made in less than a year, and there is no doubt in my mind that we will compete for a play-off position because we have the talent to achieve that and we have extraordinary leadership in Slav,” Tony Khan said.
“I’m very optimistic. Our team should be optimistic as well. I am sure they are.
“The biggest thing for me is I’m also extremely excited for our long-term future at Fulham. I’m really lucky to see the commitment of our staff, day in and day out, and better than anyone I know the commitment of our ownership.
“I have quite a responsibility ahead and am proud to accept it. I know all eyes will be upon me, and I’m ready for that. No one will want and work harder for long-term success for Fulham more than I will.”
