What you said is 'He is a DOF in name only'
You then sought to explain that by claiming we were bringing in players Brands didn't want.
That's some assumption... isn't it?
How do we know Brands didn't want Allan or Rodriguez? If Ancelotti unlocked those doors, we'd be foolish to not take advantage.
We needed midfielders, perhaps Brands felt both players - only obtainable because of Ancelotti - topped any on the list he could bring in?
My point is though - the big money we spent while Ancelotti was here - on players Ancelotti admitted he hadn't heard of (Godfrey), or we bid for before Ancelotti was even here (Doucoure). Those players, clearly, and definitely was Marcel Brands driven.
Every DOF will work with the manager, and some signings will be manager driven, some DOF driven - but both will agree. Ultimately, the buck stops with the Director of Football. The good signings - Godfrey are him, as are the bad ones, like Delph. Trying to portion or credit or blame is a bit daft, really.
Even now with Benitez. Clearly Townsend, Rondon and Lonergan are Benitez driven but out of pragmatism. Free transfers who add something - that's not to say Brands is being ignored.
I'm getting bored of the shouts that suggest Brands isn't allowed to do his job. There's nothing to suggest that, and it's insulting to the man.
The DOF position he has here, has as much power, if not more considering the number of boards he sits on - than any other club I can think of.
Every DOF has an owner above him who has the final say.
Every DOF has a manager/head coach who will have their opinion on players/transfers.