It does seem that Scots and scousers are disproportionately represented throughout the entire UK football business ..... presumably that is a cultural thing. Also now that at the Prem level more and more foreign coaches are attracted by the big money and taken up most of those roles then more Scots and scousers than ever are at the levels just below. So maybe it's not as surprising as it may at first appear although the fact we have a scouser as DoF is the more obvious factor as it means more of his contacts have that background.
Incidentally, it used to be true (I heard this stat about ten years ago) but per capita Scotland's football crowds are bigger than any other in Europe bar one - Albania*.....
*PS - I just Googled that 'fun fact' and Sky Sports now claim Scotland is number one with Netherlands second, but I wonder if they included Albania in that? (Yes, OK .... you really wouldn't want to get stuck in a lift with me 😊)
Agree with this, and really dislike the "PLEASE no more scousers" comments that crop up.
Also, people over-simplify the whole "data-driven" approach. Argyle have made it clear they also take into account subjective, qualitative factors too.
Dewsnips network has proved useful many times, and he's presumably more likely to be able to get inside information and opinions on whether Liverpudlians are "k***heads", good coaches, etc.
On the other hand, I do think the Argyle bosses need to do - and it sounds like they are doing - some soul searching. I thought a telling line from the Hallett podcast was about ND sort of rolling his eyes about "another data-driven transfer target". These types of philosophical battles can be healthy, but it's hard to deny there was surely a lack of data on Foster as the head coach/manager. International youth tournaments...simply not the same, different level, less games, less competitive really.