No
I just don't think he is involved at all until it's time to write a cheque. Or todays equivalent of and then he says Yay or Nay, after the Manager and recruitment team have put their case as to why they need that particular player.
You were correct after all about Grandad of Ben
To ensure authenticity, Sports Interactive has spent the last 22 years building its own network of “scouts”, dedicated Football Manager fans who attend real-life matches and training sessions, and then file detailed reports on players so that the...
I would imagine and I am guessing, there is no such link and that he pays others to do the recruitment and research. After all the guy has gotta have a life of his own.