Dutch recruitment gems
We identify the next big names.
Dutch Recruitment Gems identifies and tracks Dutch technical directors, sporting directors and recruitment leaders with the potential to shape the future of professional football.
Our mission
Making the next generation of football executives visible.
The Netherlands has a strong tradition of developing football talent. We believe the country also produces exceptional football executives: professionals who combine football knowledge, scouting expertise, leadership and strategic thinking. DRG follows their careers and highlights those whose trajectory points to significantly greater influence in the future.
Not the most famous executive, but the professional with the strongest future impact.
Who we include
Senior recruitment and technical leadership.
Our focus is on professionals who hold significant responsibility — or are demonstrably progressing towards it — for recruitment strategy, squad building or a club's technical direction. DRG is not a general database of scouts.
Sporting directors
Directors of football
Heads of Recruitment
Directors of Recruitment
Senior Heads of Scouting & Recruitment
What we examine
A career reveals more than a single transfer.
- Career progression
- Current and previous leadership roles
- Recruitment results
- Transfer involvement
- International experience
- Recruitment markets and areas of expertise
- Club level and competitive environment
- Scope of responsibility and leadership
- Career acceleration
- Potential for future technical leadership
The Signature Impact Player
One standout player. One evidenced story.
Where reliable evidence is available, we highlight no more than one important player for each executive. This is not about claiming a famous name, but about clarifying the professional's documented role in the recruitment process.
Permitted relationship labels
We only use the word ‘discovered’ when the claim is supported by exceptionally strong and verifiable evidence.
Measuring potential
An independent analytical framework.
We evaluate professionals at different career stages. The framework supports editorial analysis; it is not an official ranking by FIFA, UEFA, any league or club.
Recruitment impact
The quality and significance of recruitment decisions and involvement in transfers.
Career development
How quickly and effectively an executive progresses into increasingly senior positions.
International experience
Experience across different leagues, markets and football cultures.
Responsibility
The scope of sporting, technical and recruitment responsibility.
Club level
The level and competitive environment of the clubs where someone has worked.
Future potential
The potential to progress to larger clubs and more senior leadership positions.