Comunicado Oficial: Stephen Ganavas

Bigger and better things.

Dear readers,

Long-time fans of SCOUTED are long-time fans of Stephen Ganavas.

Ten years ago, as a wee Aussie teen, Steve co-founded this magazine. For ten years he’s been its heart and soul. It was Steve who drove the first Handbooks, published them online, and Steve who led them into print. His growth as a writer, editor, scout and analyst has pushed SCOUTED forward from a student blog to an industry-leading voice. Most importantly, he’s been a colossal colleague and friend to the team he built.

Many will have noticed how quiet he’s been for the past few weeks. It’s now time for us to make the big announcement: Stephen is leaving SCOUTED for pastures new.

We’re delighted to say his destination is a leading European club, where he’ll be scouring a top European league in search of first-team talent.

We’re not allowed to say which club, but we will give you a clue - actually no, I’m being told we can’t do that either. I had a cool, cryptic pun lined up but Steve shot that down. Can’t have fun these days.

Anyway. SCOUTED was founded to give a group of young writers a leg up into an opaque industry, and everyone here is delighted Steve has achieved a lifelong dream.

Steve’s achievement only cements our belief in the quality of our work, and we’re choosing to see it as another huge stamp of approval.

I’m fighting the urge to pen a lengthy eulogy about the ten years my friend and I have spent building this little business together, but he keeps telling me to keep it ‘low key,’ so I guess I’ll leave it there?

We’re all proud of you mate. Smash it.

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What happens now?

To put it in professional, corporate terms, we ball.

Jake Entwistle is your new Analysis Editor - he hasn’t missed a step and you’ll be well familiar with his work already. Next week, he’ll make his debut in a 4000-word analytical epic on everyone’s new favourite Colombian. We’re also heading to clubs and studios across London to chat to some our favourite players - stay tuned.

In the meantime, please leave a comment wishing Steve well in his next adventure, and I’ll put them all in a giant card like you give a well-loved teacher when they leave for another school. Just kidding, he’d kill me.

Forza SCOUTED. Forza Steve.

Tom, Llew, Jake, Joe & Phil