Jon Moss is set to leave his position as Scottish FA VAR manager for a senior role at another football association in a move that will impact Celtic and other Scottish Premiership clubs.
The former PMGOL elite referee manager and ex-Premier League official was appointed last month by Willie Collum to oversee ‘ VAR training, implementation, appointment and performance review’ among other duties.
However, the Scottish FA have confirmed today that he is now heading for a swift exit to take up a ‘senior position with another national association’, with the news coming as a shock to supporters of top-flight clubs.
It is unclear who will succeed the 53-year-old yet, but here is what Collum and Moss had to say after the surprise announcement.
John Moss to leave role as VAR manager
Explaining the development, SFA Head of Referees Collum stated that Moss was leaving for a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity elsewhere.
He stated [Scottish FA]: “I am obviously disappointed to be losing Jon so quickly but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him and his family and I wish him the very best on his new adventure.
“It is a measure of the esteem in which he is held in refereeing globally that he has been offered a top job in a different continent.
“The work he has undertaken with us as VAR Manager has already strengthened our operation and we will begin the process of recruiting a replacement immediately.”
On a positive note, the search for a replacement may see the SFA perform a quick turnaround to fill the vacancy, but there are a lot of questions to be answered regarding the timing of the departure.
Jon Moss on his departure from VAR manager position
Moss said regarding his decision to leave for another opening: “I have loved my short time at the Scottish FA and already I believe clubs, players, managers and supporters see a significant improvement under Willie’s leadership. Even though my time in Scotland has been short and sweet, I have loved working with the Scottish FA and the VAR team at Clydesdale House.
“I leave with only fond memories and a wish that I could have stayed for longer but this is an opportunity of a lifetime and I look forward to the new challenge, better equipped for it by my experience in Scotland.”
Immediately, Celtic supporters and fans of other clubs will want clarity over one of the most important roles within Scotland’s refereeing structure.
Moss’s entry into the frame looked to be a positive development due to his experience, but with the SFA now searching for an alternative, it remains to be seen how that will impact their mission to improve VAR moving forward.
Hopefully, there will be a swift resolution and a new appointment will be finalised soon. 67 Hail Hail will update fans as soon as news becomes available.
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