New Era for Shrewsbury: Friedel Sees Bright Future with Fresh Ownership
Shrewsbury Town finds itself at 15th place in League Two, but things are about to change with new ownership on board.
Brad Friedel, the club's new sporting director, believes Shrewsbury is the ideal project for their US-based ownership group, Biscayne ST LLC. Their takeover, finalized on Monday, sees them acquiring 87.4% of the club, paving the way for long-standing owner Roland Wycherley to step aside.
"Scott and I connected through our shared passion for football and mutual friends in Miami," Friedel shared in an exclusive chat with BBC Radio Shropshire. "As we got to know each other, our visions for football and business came together. We knew we wanted to find a club that met several important criteria."
The duo explored options in various countries, including Turkey, Poland, Portugal, and the Netherlands. However, they kept hitting roadblocks. "We needed to believe that our group could genuinely help the club and rally the community behind it," Friedel explained.
Friedel acknowledged that Wycherley had been seeking a successor for five years. With Davidson already involved with The Spartans in Scotland, they were eager to find a club that could thrive both on and off the pitch.
"We were drawn to the idea of a one-town club. We want to deepen the club's connection with the local community," he said. "Given the investment flooding into the EFL and the allure of UK football, we felt Shrewsbury checked all the boxes for what we were looking for."
Despite his illustrious playing career in the Premier League with clubs like Liverpool and Tottenham, Friedel is undaunted by his first role as a sporting director in England's fourth tier.
"I don’t limit myself to just Premier League opportunities," he stated. "One of my most rewarding roles was coaching the US men’s under-19 national team, where many players weren’t even pros. I see football as a series of projects, and this one is exciting for me."
Last season, Shrewsbury avoided relegation by a margin of 10 points, thanks in part to the appointment of Gavin Cowan as head coach. Friedel plans to collaborate closely with Cowan moving forward.
"I’m relocating and will be present every day," he emphasized. "This isn’t a short-term gig for me. We’ll work together closely, and our approach will be collaborative. Success hinges on everyone pulling together, not just on one individual."
Recruitment is a key focus for the new ownership. Friedel revealed that a dedicated department is already in place, scouting for new talent.
"I rely heavily on data, but I’d never sign a player based solely on numbers," he clarified. "Data can accelerate our decision-making process, and we’re looking to expand our global search for new players. We’re eager to tap into areas Shrewsbury hasn’t explored before."
This is Shrewsbury's second season back in League Two after a decade in League One, with their last stint in the second tier dating back to 1989. Friedel remains optimistic about the club's future.
"Anything is possible if you dare to dream, but we need to take it step by step," he noted. "We aim to be promotion contenders, whether this season or next. If we succeed in moving up to League One, we’ll strive to continue that momentum."
Friedel concluded, "Stability and structure are our priorities right now. We want to ensure that the first-team staff and players have the resources they need to thrive, and then we’ll see where that takes us."
