The idea is the manager no longer leads this though, they will have some input on player preferences right at the end but the focus is on the club deciding on the style of play, the scouting team and DoF working on key profiles that fit each role in that style, and then identifying targets after that. I think the manager will have a say but only once the recruitment team have filtered through candidates - in which case, any manager's scope for error is mitigated.
As examples from our recruitment of ETH specific players, what could have happened in an alternate reality:
Antony - likely would not have got past the filter. Good season in Holland but lacking in pace and not a standout player. Add in the fee and it would have never got past a first look.
Licha - maybe one which shows it's not all plain sailing with a DoF, he likely would not have been considered given his height, lack of pace and fee. He's an absolute worldie of a player and this is one ETH got right.
Amrabat - would like to think the scouting team would deem him not good enough.
Onana - I think this one would have still happened, he fits the mould of a modern keeper and his stock was super high. Comparatively the fee wasn't that high either.
Malacia - I think this still has a chance, cheap, squad player at a good age.