Sheffield Wednesday are pleased to announce the appointment of experienced Head of Recruitment Kevin Beadell.
Kevin joins the Owls, working closely with manager Danny Röhl and leading the club’s recruitment team, following long-term spells with two giants of English football.
Starting his career at grassroots level, Kevin earned a position in the recruitment team at Manchester United in 2001.
He worked with the club’s youth and first team set-up closely alongside Sir Alex Ferguson during a successful period for the Red Devils, in which they won four Premier League titles, one Champions League, an FA Cup and three League Cups.
Kevin joined Arsenal in 2010, with whom he enjoyed a previous spell before switching to Old Trafford.
He spent a decade with the Gunners, specialising in emerging talent based in the UK and Europe, before an interim stint as Head of Recruitment at the Emirates.
Working alongside another household name in Arsene Wenger for most of his spell in London, Arsenal lifted the FA Cup on three occasions whilst challenging at the top of the Premier League.
Kevin then moved to Cardiff City, where he spent three years as Head of Recruitment, overseeing vast changes in the Bluebirds’ playing squad.
Speaking exclusively to swfc.co.uk, Kevin said: “I’ve been in recruitment for over 27 years now.
“During that journey I’ve had 10 years at Manchester United under the leadership of Sir Alex Ferguson and some great mentors and chief scouts.
“That was the same at Arsenal where I had 10 years with Arsene Wenger and some great mentors.
“After leaving Cardiff, I had a chat with the chairman and we spoke about the club, the vision and how it’s quite exciting the way things are moving forward.
“I watched the Leicester game live and I was really enthused with the crowd and the environment that was there, a great stadium and the team performances are really improving.
“After talking to the manager, it was really encouraging to hear and understand his vision and I’ve got a great feeling around him and the coaching staff he’s brought in.
“I think the way he’s trying to play is clear and exciting for people to watch.”
Kevin joins the Owls ahead of the January transfer window and says he is well versed on the current market.
Working with the first team and academy, he looks forward to getting underway in S6.
He added: “I think it’s important for us as a recruitment team to be very active.
“My experience will allow us to look at all markets. I like to think I’ve been particularly strong within the loan markets with relationships I have at the big clubs, so that’s an important avenue for us.
“But we’re open, and so is the manager, in looking at all markets. Players that are experienced in England and the Championship, which we know is a very tough league but also, equally, we will look at markets in Europe, the MLS and other emerging areas.
“In terms of our relationship, it’s important we provide targets for the manager, sit down and talk through these, and we’ll move forward with the best options for us as a club to make sure the team is strengthened by these signings.
“I couldn’t have joined at a more hectic time! But I’ve been in the market so I’m up to date with how it looks and key targets that may be available.
“The next two months are very busy and we look to be as well organised as we can, the planning is already strongly in place, so we hope to react as quickly as we can within the market.
“It’s a really good environment and that was one of the main things that made me make the decision to come across, I know the league position isn’t where we want it to be at the moment but I fully believe with the coaching environment I’ve seen, the staff the manager has around him and additions in the January window, we have every opportunity to progress in the second part of the season.”