Ex-LOI player Fergal Harkin set for Standard Liege role

Former Bohemians and Finn Harps midfielder Fergal Harkin is reportedly on the verge of becoming the new sporting director of Belgian club Standard Liege.

The 45-year-old Donegal man has spent the last 13 years working at Manchester City, where he initially served as a scouting and recruitment information manager before assuming the role of Manager of Football Partnerships and Pathways in 2015.

He previously spent six years working for Nike as a sales manager and football marketing manager.

Last year Harkin was linked with the Celtic director of football position.

Belgian newspaper Les Sports reports that he has been lined up for that role by Standard Liege, with his acquisition set to be the first major building block laid down by US investment firm 777 Partners, who completed a takeover of the club in March.

If he completes the move one of Harkin's first tasks will be to recruit a new manager. Last month Luka Elsner was sacked as head coach after overseeing a disappointing First Division A campaign that ended with the team in 14th.