The 45-year-old Italian Gianluca Nani is joining West Ham United to work as Technical Director
17.03.2008
West Ham United is pleased to announce the appointment of Gianluca Nani as the club's first Technical Director.
The 45-year-old Italian arrives at the Boleyn Ground from Brescia Calcio, where he has been the club's sporting director since 1999. His responsibilities included being in charge of all aspects of technical development - such as the youth academy, transfers and improving training facilities. Nani will start his new role full time in June but has already begun working with Alan Curbishley on identifying potential transfer targets for the summer.
An English speaker, who is fluent in Spanish and has a good knowledge of French, Nani's appointment comes after a six-month search by the Board and the manager to find a suitable candidate capable of helping the club move forward on the domestic and European stage.
Nani's roles at West Ham United will include:
* Enhancing the international scouting network
* Working with Alan Curbishley and the Board on all transfers
* Developing the youth academy with Tony Carr
* Improving all aspects of the training ground facilities
GIANLUCA NANI - BIOGRAPHY
Nationality: Italian
Marital Status: Married (one son)
DoB: 1 October 1962 (Rome)
Career highlights
* Nani studied law at university and worked in Spain organising international football tournaments before embarking on his career as a sporting director.
* He is a graduate of the world-renowned Italian FA (FIGC) technical centre in Coverciano where he holds regular seminars related to the duties and responsibilities of his position.
* At Brescia, Nani has been responsible for bringing in several 'unknown' players who have gone on to achieve great success including World Cup winners Andrea Pirlo and Luca Toni.
* Nani was also involved in the arrival of former world player of the year Roberto Baggio at the Stadio Mario Rigamonti in 2000. Baggio spent four years with Brescia, helping them qualify for Europe.
* The club are currently in the Serie B promotion play-off positions, and just four points from top spot.
* At the end of his first full time campaign with the club in the 1999/00 season, Brescia were promoted back to Serie A. They stayed among the Italian elite for the next five seasons before losing their top-flight status on the last day of the 2004/05 campaign.
* The most successful campaign was in 2000/01, when the club finished seventh in Serie A although they also reached the semi-final of the Coppa Italia the following campaign.
STATEMENT FROM THE BOARD:
West Ham United is a club with ambition. Solid foundations have been built over many years and the club now has a major opportunity to grow and develop as a leading footballing force within the Premier League.
Everyone at the club is committed to improvement and to a positive and dynamic future.
To achieve our ambitions we will develop the club on sound football and business principles.
Our aims, over time, are to:
* Remain successful in the Premier League
* Challenge for the main English club trophies
* Qualify for European football
* Nurture young playing talent
* Develop our transfer trading policies and scouting networks
* Utilise the best physical and medical support services for the playing staff
* Improve our training ground facilities
* Examine ways of expanding our ground capacity via improvement or relocation
* Build our fan base and extend the links into local communities; and
* Strengthen the brand image of the club both nationally and internationally.
The Chairman and the Board will work closely with the Manager and all the staff at the club to identify the steps that need to be taken to achieve these aims in the years ahead.
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Nani excited by new challenge - WHUFC
Gianluca Nani and Alan Curbishley have spoken of their vision for the future with West Ham United
17.03.2008
Gianluca Nani revealed his pride and honour at being appointed technical director at West Ham United.
The 45-year-old from Rome was unveiled at a Boleyn Ground press conference on Monday afternoon alongside manager Alan Curbishley and CEO Scott Duxbury. Nani has been with Italian club Bresica Calcio in a similar capacity since 1999 and is relishing the opportunity to move forward with West Ham United - describing it as a club with "incredible potential" and the Academy system as one of the best in the world. Click here to read more about his appointment, which takes full effect from June.
"I am really proud and really honoured to be here at West Ham," Nani said. "I know this is a club full of history, full of honour. I know that West Ham play the right way." He added that he was aware of the legacy of legends like Bobby Moore and Trevor Brooking and also explained the importance of young talent like James Tomkins, Jack Collison and Freddie Sears. "I know the history of West Ham. I know the fans are really passionate, like the football has to be - played with passion."
The appointment comes after several months of looking for someone who could help the club with plans to move forward in terms of player recruitment, transfer policy, the existing Academy and training-ground infrastructure. "I met Alan and Scott some months ago. We started to talk about the ambitions of the club ... and we have the same point of view." He stressed the aim was to "follow the tradition" of developing homegrown talent but that the club should also look for the best young global prospects. In his time at Brescia, he brought in former world player of the year Roberto Baggio while also playing a major part in the development of the likes of Daniele Bonera, Luca Toni, Stephen Appiah and Matuzalem.
Curbishley is confident in a strong working relationship in future. "In Gianluca we feel we have brought the man in who is going to help me enormously in what I need to do and push the club forward. I think that you may well see that this sort of appointment may be come the norm in the Premier League. I know that other clubs have gone down this route and the manager has certainly got to be on board with everything that is done and I have been involved in the process completely.
"After several meetings and several discussions and getting to know each other, I feel that Gianluca is the person I need to help me in the recruitment area of the club - certainly at senior level and venturing down into the Academy level. It is a big brief we have given him, we are sure he is up for it. He is vastly experienced in that area. We took a good look at Brescia at what they have achieved over the years and their set-up and their infrastructure and it is something that we are lacking at the club."
Scott Duxbury, West Ham United CEO, said: "West Ham United's aims are to continue to compete successfully in the Premier League and to challenge for trophies both domestically and in Europe. A key factor in helping to achieve this is the appointment of our technical director Gianluca Nani. Many months ago, the manager and the board agreed a job description for what was required from the appointment.
"Someone who could establish a leading domestic and European scouting network, ensure the Academy and the first team have access to the best players both domestically and internationally and establish an infrastructure to ensure the successful development of all our players. The manager led the recruitment process and interviewed all potential candidates which led to the eventual appointment of Gianluca. The club now has a major opportunity to grow and develop as a leading football force in the Premier League and we are extremely pleased Gianluca has agreed to join us and be part of the club and its ambitions going forward."
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Academy success delights West Ham - BBC
West Ham academy director Tony Carr says teenage striker Freddie Sears is not the only home-grown star making a breakthrough in the Premier League.
Sear, 18, scored the winning goal on his first-team debut against Blackburn Rovers at the weekend. "There was another young lad on the bench on Saturday, centre-back James Tomkins," Carr told BBC London. "I'm sure he'll get his chance before the end of the season which will be fantastic for the academy." The club has just appointed Gianluca Nani as their first technical director and he will look to further improve the academy and scouting network.
Nani will arrive from his current club Brescia in the summer but will start working with manager Alan Curbishley to identify potential signings immediately.
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West Ham confirm Nani appointment
West Ham have confirmed the appointment of Gianluca Nani as the new technical director at Upton Park. The Italian will quit his role as sporting director of Serie B side Brescia and begin his role in June. "I am excited about the experience. It is very different and I am proud to be working in England," said the Italian. Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has been involved in Nani's appointment, and travelled to Italy last week to discuss possible summer transfer targets. "Gianluca is the person I need to help me in the recruitment at the club, venturing down into the academy level," said Curbishley. "It is a big brief but I am sure he is up for it. He is vastly experienced. "We took a good look at Brescia and what they have achieved. We are lacking at the club in terms of infrastructure and network, which you need now because it is a global game. "Since I have been here the club has always been looking to push on and push forward. There was a void I felt needed to be filled. "We don't want to hear about a player going to another club and not have known anything about it. "We expect the infrastructure of the club when it comes to recruitment will be beefed up, giving us a chance to get the best home grown players and foreign players. "That is an area I feel we have been lacking."
Nani's role has already been outlined by the club, who spent the last six months searching for a suitable candidate. The 45-year-old Italian will be responsible for improving the club's global scouting network and will work with Curbishley and the board on transfers. He will also be charged with developing the club's youth academy and will lead an overhaul of the club's training facilities. "I am proud and honoured to be here at West Ham. I know it is a club full of history, I know West Ham play the right way," said Nani. "I met Alan and (West Ham chief executive) Scott Duxbury some months ago. We started to talk about the ambitions of the club. We have the same point of view. "I am sure this is a club with incredible potential. We have to work to bring the club to its potential."
A statement from the West Ham board said: "West Ham is a club with ambition. "Now we have a major opportunity to grow and develop as a leading football force. "Everyone at the club is committed to improvement and to a positive and dynamic future." Nani studied law before working as Brescia's sporting director for the last nine years, during which time he is credited with developing talents such as World Cup winners Andrea Pirlo and Luca Toni.
He was also involved in the arrival of 1993 World Player of the Year Roberto Baggio, who spent four years at the club.
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A statement of intent - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 17th March 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have outlined their future plans in a statement released this afternoon. The club reaffirmed their promise to make United a 'leading footballing force within the Premier League' whilst maintaining that they remain a 'club with ambition' on the same that the appointment of the club's first Technical Director, Gianluca Nani, was confirmed. "Solid foundations have been built over many years and the club now has a major opportunity to grow and develop," read the statement. "To achieve our ambitions we will develop the club on sound football and business principles. "The Chairman and the Board will work closely with the manager and all the staff at the club to identify the steps that need to be taken to achieve these aims in the years ahead."
The club's ten point plan to acheive their aims read as follows:
1. Remain successful in the Premier League
2. Challenge for the main English club trophies
3. Qualify for European football
4. Nurture young playing talent
5. Develop our transfer trading policies and scouting networks
6. Utilise the best physical and medical support services for the playing staff
7. Improve our training ground facilities
8. Examine ways of expanding our ground capacity via improvement or relocation
9. Build our fan base and extend the links into local communities
10. Strengthen the brand image of the club both nationally and internationally.
However the statement stopped short of promising regular Champions League football as former Chairman Eggert Magnusson had done prior to leaving the club at the tail end of last year.
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Sears: a great feeling - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 17th March 2008
By: Staff Writer
Freddie Sears has been talking about his dream debut against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. The 18-year-old striker stepped off of the bench on Saturday to score the winning goal against Blackburn Rovers, evoking memories of Tony Cottee who performed a similar feat some 26 years ago. The comparisons between the two are obvious - both are pacy, diminutive strikers with an eye for goal who are also confirmed Hammers fanatics - and Sears' goal was greeted every bit as loudly as Cottee's debut strike against Tottenham all those years ago. Talking to whufc.com, Sears admitted it was all still sinking in - an experience he describes as 'unbelievable' - but revealed that he is already thinking about making his next appearance which may come this weekend at Everton. "You've got to keep going, keep pushing on," he said. "This season I've worked hard and you never know what can happen."
On the goal itself - and the 'Boys Own' debut - he added: "It's the best thing that could have happened. I come on, got my first early touch and then had a shot and got the rebound. I'm buzzing and delighted - a good debut! "I was just pleased to be there but when he [Alan Curbishley] said 'Freddie - warm up, get ready' I was a bit shocked but just went from there. "I wasn't nervous. I think the atmosphere, the fans spurred me on a little bit more. It was really good. A great feeling, unbelievable. "My mum and dad were in the stands with a few friends and family. My mates were all around so it was good, especially at home as well as a West Ham fan."
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Freddie is feeling fine - SSN
Hammers midfielder shrugs off calf complaint
By Kent Hedlundh Last updated: 17th March 2008
Freddie Ljungberg has brushed off any fitness worries after picking up a knock in West Ham United's win over Blackburn Rovers. The midfielder was replaced towards the end of Saturday's 2-1 victory at Upton Park after taking a kick to his calf. But the Sweden international has confirmed that it is not a serious problem and he has already shaken off the effects of the knock. "I got a cramp in the calf due to that blow," Ljungberg told Expressen. "That's the reason I was forced to go off. "It feels really good now."
Meanwhile, Ljungberg was relieved to see the Hammers collect the points against Blackburn to end a run of three successive 4-0 defeats. He added to the club's official website: "It was nice to win after what happened in the last couple of weeks. "We were one-nil down as well and still showed some character. We scored some goals. "Blackburn are a big physical team and that makes it hard sometimes, but we got the ball down and we could play some football."
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Nani to nurture potential - SSN
New technical director reveals plans
By James Dall Last updated: 17th March 2008
New technical director Gianluca Nani believes West Ham United's tradition of nurturing young English talent has laid the foundations for a club which has 'incredible potential'. On Monday, West Ham officially confirmed that the Italian will take up the newly created role full-time in June, while revealing his duties at the club. He has already begun working with manager Alan Curbishley with regards to potential transfer targets for the summer. And Nani believes the club's potential is down to their fanbase and reputation for developing young talent. "I have to help the club to build a system, to discover in advance the best young players," he said on Sky Sports News. "To discover the player the manager needs. "We have to build the system and staff to work in that way. Looking forward in a global market. "I work with the board, with [chief executive officer] Scott (Duxbury) and with Alan. This is the area - technical recruitment and discovering players. "I know that West Ham's academy is the best in England, maybe one of the best in the world. "But I think that we are in a global market, and if we try to find some players from abroad it doesn't mean we have to break the best academy in England. "We have to improve the English players too because the fans like to recognise this type of player. "We have this power and capacity here at West Ham. We have to push all the time to find English players but we have to bring in the best foreign players too. "We have to keep the traditional English players. We have to be proud of the work West Ham has done in the past - for example with Frank Lampard senior and junior and Joe Cole.
"We have to follow this tradition. But this does not mean that we should miss out on the chance to get players like Kaka or Adriano. Why not? "It will benefit the club. Bringing players from abroad does not stop the English players. We have to push for the English players. "I think the club has a big potential because when I think of West Ham, I think of the fans. This club has really incredible potential."
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Curbs eyes Nani effect - SSN
Hammers boss backs new technical director
By James Dall Last updated: 17th March 2008
West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley believes new technical director Gianluca Nani will help The Hammers progress and compete with the world's largest clubs. On Monday, West Ham officially confirmed that the Italian will take up the newly created role full-time in June, while revealing his duties at the club. Nani, who highlighted the club's 'incredible potential' in his first press conference, has already begun working alongside Curbishley with regards to potential transfer targets for the summer. And Curbishley has backed the appointment, insisting that Nani is the right man to take The Hammers forward.
"I think people have seen similar situations at other clubs and there has been a bit of scepticism about the role and the potential for it etc," he said on Sky Sports News. "So when it was decided that we wanted to bring in someone on that side of the club we took our time over it and we defined what we wanted. "Clearly in Gianluca we feel we have brought the man in that is going to help me enormously in what I need to do and push the club forward.
"I think that you may well see that this sort of appointment becomes the norm in the Premier League. "I know that other clubs have gone down this route, and the manager has certainly got to be on board with everything that is done. And I have certainly been involved in the process - completely. "After several meetings and several discussions and getting to know each other I feel that Gianluca is the person I need to help me in the recruitment area in the club. Certainly at senior level, and venturing down in the academy level. "It is a big brief that we have given him. We are sure he is up for it. He is vastly experienced in that area. "We took a good look at Brescia [Nani's previous club] and what they have achieved over the years and their set-up and infrastructure. "It is something we are lacking at the club, in terms of the infrastructure and the network which you need now because this is a global game. "You can see at the top end of the Premier League that they have got people who are out there constantly trying to bring that talent to the club. And that is why we feel we needed to improve our area."
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West Ham unveil Nani - SSN
Italian appointed as the club's new technical director
Last updated: 17th March 2008
West Ham United have confirmed the appointment of Gianluca Nani as the club's new technical director. The Hammers have been scouring the world for a person to fill the newly created role, which will become a pivotal position at the East London outfit. Nani held a similar role at Brescia since 1999 but he has been lured to the English capital by West Ham chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, and will take up his new post in June. A statement on the club's official website read: "His responsibilities include being in charge of all aspects of technical development - such as the youth academy, transfers and improving training facilities. "Nani will start his new role full-time in June but has already begun working with [manager] Alan Curbishley on identifying potential transfer targets for the summer. "An English speaker, who is fluent in Spanish and has a good knowledge of French, Nani's appointment comes after a six-month search by the board and the manager to find a suitable candidate capable of helping the club move forward on the domestic and European stage.
"Nani's roles at West Ham United will include: enhancing the international scouting network, working with Alan Curbishley and the board on all transfers, developing the youth academy with Tony Carr and improving all aspects of the training ground facilities."
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The Curbishley/Nani Era? - West Ham Online
Alex V - Mon Mar 17 2008
West Ham have unveiled the appointment of Gianluca Nani as technical director some months earlier than expected - an indication that his skills are required fairly urgently? At a basic level, this appointment is very good news for the fans - you don't employ a director to identify potential transfers unless you are ready to spend some money. But Nani's task is far greater than that - he has to help Curbs transform West Ham into a force capable of competing with the Premiership's top performers not just on the pitch, but almost more importantly in the World transfer market.
Just last week I wrote that Curbishley's one obvious major flaw is his lack of track record in identifying players from abroad, but really the problem might well be the club more than the manager on this score. A period in the Championship under some very serious financial pressure won't have helped the club retain any sort of international scouting network, if indeed it had much of one to start with. Going back to Redknapp's days his scouting then, as now, consisted of cosying up to renowned agents, doing what he had to do to get first choice on the players they picked out for him - hardly an appealing template to consider. It's unlikely that Roeder or Pardew did much on this score either - I would say that it's a reasonable guess that West Ham have little or no connections abroad at this time.
The aim, of course, is to unearth players on the cheap who could be worth millions. A player I would point to as an example is Kevin Boateng at Spurs - a renowned young German player with an immense amount of skill and a very promising future, brought in at the start of this season. Presumably Spurs worked secretly behind the scenes over a long period to make that transfer come off - those sort of deals don't happen overnight. Lucas at Liverpool is another one, as is Kaboul also at Tottenham. I just doubt that West Ham are anywhere near the position in the market to make those sort of discoveries, but one successful discovery saves you a fortune in transfer fees and produces a player that could be worth multiple millions later on.
If West Ham want to invest now for a great return later on it needs to build a network capable of making these coups in the International market - after all West Ham did this successfully in the domestic youth market for many years. Nobody pretends that the likes of Cole, Carrick or Defoe joined the club out of their great love for the Hammers - they were 'persuaded' that West Ham was their best chance of making the big time, and the record shows that they probably made the right decision. Spurs have shown that it can be successful, if more expensive, to extend this policy to domestic players aged 19-21 - Dawson, Huddlestone, Bale and Lennon are success stories, but even the failures like Routledge, Reid and Davenport were sold on for no real financial loss.
But I worry about emphasising the youth system and domestic youth market too much in our plans - the market in this country is too competitive. The supply of brilliant players that Tony Carr's team produced (Lampard, Ferdinand, Defoe, Carrick, Cole, Johnson) was a one-off, as was that amazing group at Man Utd under Ferguson. Remembering the situation at that time, even though it was only a few years ago, there was a feeling that Ferguson and Redknapp were the only ones fighting over the young talent in this country - I remember George Graham at Spurs saying ironically that Spurs would never blood young players in their team because of the pressure for success. But in more recent years almost every club have woken up and started pouring money into youth development, and the domestic youth market appears to have been totally wrung dry - no promising young player exists these days in the lower league without a host of Premiership clubs sniffing around them. The huge fees paid for Walcott and Bale only emphasise how competitive and expensive it is to pursue that policy. Of course I hope that we produce a steady stream of young homegrown players born in the area and hungry to succeed with West Ham, but I don't think it is something that you can just throw money at to improve. We must look abroad.
Youth is definitely the key point here, but the process is two-fold - West Ham ideally need to have a transfer policy in place that draws in top talent from all over the World, but the club also needs the ability to be able to improve these players once they arrive. That crucial second step is probably the reason that Arsene Wenger is the most sought-after manager in football - it's all very well to have some good young players, but Wenger's staff at Arsenal have managed time and again to develop those players at the club into World-class performers. I don't think we can expect the same thing to happen at West Ham overnight, but I don't think it would hurt to follow their lead either. I think that's what Spurs have attempted, and despite a major stutter this season they still look poised to reap the rewards in the future.
I certainly don't think we want to see a repeat of last Summer's transfer policy - it served its purpose but we need a new vision. Last Summer was a peculiar situation, and Curbishley desperately needed to build a solid squad in quick time - he went for established Premiership performers, and I think that was the right decision at the time. But it has left us with a bunch of wage-heavy players with no resale value - I don't think a squad full of that sort of player suits anyone in the long-term. It has done the trick - we have enough experience and established quality in the side now, but the actual rebuilding needs to take place behind the facade.
It is around the fringes of the team that I would like to see a significant change - not overnight, but over the next few years. I would like to see improving younger players replace our current set of reserves, and make us a squad of potential - at the moment I can see our squad performing well on full power, but not necessarily moving forward. In the current West Ham squad any player with ability seems to be retained by the club - I would like to see a situation where we don't have to hang on to players just because they are 'useful', but move them on to make space for the player with more potential coming behind them. Had Mullins been sold as rumoured in January or the Summer last year, we might be in a worse position in the table but we also might not, and no doubt Collison would have had played more first-team football - we might have unearthed a gem. Plus we might be a couple of million quid better off because of the sale and wage savings.
Curbishley has a key decision in the Summer under similar circumstances - he has a young striker turning heads in Sears, but if the other strikers were fit Sears would get nowhere near the side. Maybe Sears isn't the answer - that's for the staff at the club to decide. But no doubt Curbishley could lay out all the reasons that Zamora, Ashton, Bellamy and Cole are far in advance of Sears, and therefore make a case for retaining all of them. My question is where would that decision take us? I love Bobby Zamora, and I believe he has the Hammers in his heart, but his departure could provide Sears with the space to develop and £5 million plus for the club to invest elsewhere - which is the best decision for West Ham's future? I think it's obvious.
For too many positions in the current squad, the first team player and the replacement seem almost interchangable - solid too often replaces solid. An obvious one would be Daniel Gabbidon in defence - he is undoubtedly a reserve at the club, whose value in the market would presumably begin to fade as he approaches 30. He is also a player who holds back the likes of Spector and Collins, who have more potential simply because of their age. My worry is that Gabbidon would be retained because he can do a 'good job' and is better on paper than Collins or Spector - short-termism I'm afraid. Look also at the glut of established left-wingers at the club, with little to choose between them - Etherington, Boa Morte, Ljungberg. Etherington and Boa Morte may have some brilliant form ahead of them in their careers, but for me the wise long-term decision might well be to ditch them both and make space for Kyel Reid who is a player on lower wages with more long-term potential. And while Reid is being blooded buy in a 17-year-old scorcher from somewhere in Europe to have a chance to eventually replace him or Ljungberg. Don't get me wrong, I like Gabbidon and Mullins and Etherington and even Boa Morte, I think they are Premiership quality players - I just think there is a better formula for running a squad.
Perhaps it's unfair to compare, but look at the way two different clubs tackled their left-back situations. At Arsenal Ashley Cole was developed to replace the brilliant Nigel Winterburn, and when Cole then did the dirty on them Clichy (£250k from Cannes) was hot on his heels to replace him at presumably even lower wages, and now Traore (free from Auxerre) is on hand to take over if Clichy goes - terrific continuity that we can only pray to copy. In the same period West Ham took a declining Winterburn on at presumably a similar or higher wage, replaced him at cost with the out-of-favour Konchesky, got a good year or two out of him but because of a change of managers we now have the promoted reserve McCartney and no real backup. No continuity, and no real progress - I don't see that McCartney is better now than Winterburn was when he first joined us, we have no real replacement if he gets injured, and the most viable option to improve us is Shorey for a further £5-6 million from Reading. And worse still there are now transfer rumours around McCartney, but with no potential replacements in place we cannot sell McCartney for a nice profit because he is so crucial to us. Apart from a small fee to get Clichy from Cannes, Arsenal spent next to nothing in transfer fees and wages to maintain a World class option at left-back over the last decade - they lost debatably the best left-back in the World in Ashley Cole and it barely made an impact.
The basic point is that we see clubs around us unearthing young talent from around the World on the cheap - we have to abandon this policy of retaining solid options and take a few risks on younger players or risk falling further behind. Any investment in the scouting network and funding of young purchases will be more than worth the money. I would rather all of Curbishley's Summer warchest was diverted into that sort of investment than see us falling further behind the clubs in the Premiership that have sorted their systems out. Our squad, solid as it is, is still a bit of a directionless mess at the moment, so the introduction of a new technical director is sorely required.
I suppose the squad only bears the unavoidable scars of the last few years of turmoil - rotating managers, changing fortunes, and the constant pressure of having to fill holes in the squad with little or no money to do so. Certainly for the first time in many many years West Ham have a little bit of time to draw breath in a position of relative safety, and with a fairly solid set of players capable of stability if nothing else. I just hope that Curbishley and Nani work together to take advantage of our capability, with financial backing, to build something far more effective at West Ham for the long-term future. Either we tread water or move upstream.
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West Ham show off continental credentials with Gianluca Nani - The Times
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley says that he does not feel threatened by Gianluca Nani
Gary Jacob
Aware that his appointment might invite conjecture, Gianluca Nani turned to Alan Curbishley and joked that he had only been an amateur coach. The West Ham United manager sarcastically responded that he had been accused of being that over the past week. Curbishley was at pains to point out yesterday that his authority was not affected by the appointment of Nani as the club's first technical director. The Italian signed a three-year deal and will leave his post as general manager of Brescia, the Serie B club, at the end of the season. West Ham's shift to a continental structure is a bold break for a club that became known as "The Academy". The likeable Nani, 45, described his role as marrying the club's tradition of nurturing home-grown players with finding the best young foreign players, such as Kaká and Adriano - the Brazil forwards whom he is reputed to have spotted. "I am here to build something, not to break things," Nani said. "I am not here to get a medallion. We have to bring the club to its potential. To get the best players. Maybe it could be another Paolo di Canio. We will make mistakes. We are in a global market. But that doesn't mean we will break what is the best academy in England, maybe in the world."
Part of the £3.5 million budget he has at Brescia was based on wheeling and dealing, but he can expect eight times as much at Upton Park. He has watched West Ham several times on video and identified the areas that can be improved upon, most notably in attack. West Ham defined Nani's role and power after examining how sporting directors operated around Europe. His remit will be broadly between that of Nicky Hammond, who negotiates deals at Reading, and Damien Comolli, who has been more hands-on at Tottenham Hotspur. But West Ham are keen to avoid the internal conflict that led to Martin Jol's dismissal at White Hart Lane in October. Curbishley, who was part of the recruitment process, said that he will have the final say on transfers, after asking Nani to provide the options. Curbishley's readiness to embrace the move to the continental system was largely because he was left with little choice. He said that the club's present scouting network was inadequate. "I need to have my eyes opened up to players," Curbishley said. "There is a void at the club and we are in a position to compete at the moment. "I don't want to be in a position where we don't know about players. I will pick his brains, his network and advice. I don't think there is going to be any interference [after that]. "I don't envisage any problems because I will have the final say. I don't think he has got a managerial bone in him."
Nani has a good depth of knowledge of players in South America, and is reputed to have discovered Kaká, two years before AC Milan did, but when he tried to buy the Brazil forward, São Paulo increased the price at the last moment. Similarly, Brescia could not afford Adriano when he spotted the forward playing in a youth tournament in South America. After studying for a law degree, he worked as a sporting events organiser in Spain but took on his present role soon after marrying Silvia Corioni, the daughter of Luigi Corioni, the president of Brescia. He has gained a reputation as a strong negotiator. Nani's arrival at Brescia coincided with that of Roberto Baggio, who helped the team to seventh place in Serie A in 2001, but they were relegated after the retirement of the former Italy forward in 2004. Nani will also be expected to oversee the development of the proposed new stadium and training ground.
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Nani "proud and honoured" to begin West Ham role - biewlondon.co.uk
West Ham have confirmed the appointment of Gianluca Nani as the new technical director at the club.The 45-year-old Italian will begin his new role from June, after quitting his position as sporting director of Serie B side Brescia."I am really proud and really honoured to be here at West Ham," Nani said at a press conference today. "I know this is a club full of history, full of honour. I know that West Ham play the right way. I know the fans are really passionate, like the football has to be – played with passion."
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley said he was looking forward to working with Nani and hoped his presence would allow the east London club to push forward. "In Gianluca we feel we have brought the man in who is going to help me enormously in what I need to do and push the club forward," Curbishley said. "I think you may well see that this sort of appointment may become the norm in the Premier League."
Scott Duxbury, West Ham's CEO said: "West Ham United's aims are to continue to compete successfully in the Premier League and to challenge for trophies both domestically and in Europe. A key factor in helping achieve this is the appointment of our technical director Gianluca Nani."
West Ham currently lie tenth in the Premiership table.
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Nani set to lead talent search for West Ham - the Independent
By Evan Fanning
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
Gianluca Nani was yesterday unveiled as West Ham United's first technical director with a remit to scour the world for footballing talent to bring to Upton Park. The technical director role has been a mixed blessing for those English clubs who have adopted what has traditionally been seen as a continental system. Generally, the technical director has been assumed to be the manager in waiting, but West Ham insist that their arrangement is different, with Alan Curbishley saying that Nani "doesn't have a managerial bone in his body".
Nani is currently in a similar role with Italian Serie B club Brescia, where players such as Luca Toni, Andrea Pirlo and Roberto Baggio have passed through the club during his reign. He will sign an initial three-year deal and will officially take up his post in June after seeing out the season in Italy.
The 45-year-old law graduate – who never played football professionally – will not only be expected to recommend players for the first-team, but will also be working to ensure that the club known as The Academy will soon be schooling youngsters from all corners of the globe.
"I'm here to try and build something," Nani revealed. "I have got to know Scott [Duxbury, West Ham's CEO] and Alan and they are two people who know football. We have to try to build together. I will try my best to help the club and to help Alan. I know my position. We may make some mistakes but we will try and do our best all the time for the club."
Curbishley was adamant that there is a definite need for a technical director at West Ham, but was unwavering in his insistence that Nani's appointment will in no way undermine his role. "I think there's a void at the club," he said referring to their existing scouting network. "I think we need this appointment in terms of the knowledge and networking that Gianluca can bring us. I will pick his brains and use his contacts. I'll ask for advice, but when it comes down to it, I'll be the one who has the final say."
Certainly the evidence would suggest that the club need to look further afield when making signings for the first-team. Curbishley has signed 12 players since taking over as West Ham manager in December 2006, with all but one of those signings coming from other English clubs.
West Ham hope that Nani's expertise will not only bring them talent from all over the world, but will also help them save on transfer fees. In fact, the phrase "global market" was mentioned so often yesterday that you could be forgiven for thinking it was a discussion about the credit crunch rather than Nani's job description.
Curbishley has been central to the lengthy search for the ideal candidate for the position. It is a search which has seen the likes of new Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni, former Liverpool assistant Pako Ayesteran and Fabio Capello's right-hand man Franco Baldini linked with the position.
"I've been a major part in the recruitment and in setting the job description," Curbishley said. "Perhaps at other clubs there's been a wider-reaching brief for the technical director. We've made sure that we're concentrating on one area; an area I think we need help on. I don't envisage any problems on that because I will have the final say on recruitment.
"Obviously there's going to be differences of opinion when we're talking about two people involved in something, but I'm sure we're big enough and strong enough to work it all out."
Mr Big: Other key figures behind the scenes
Frank Arnesen (Sporting director, Chelsea)
Controversially moved across London from Spurs in 2005 to take up head talent role. His role at the club played a part in Jose Mourinho's departure and the Dane also featured in Panorama programme on the tapping-up of youth players.
Damien Comolli (Sporting director, Tottenham Hotspur)
Former Arsenal scout joined Spurs in 2005, replacing Arnesen. Responsibilities include medical, academy and scouting departments. The Frenchman's role at the club was the cause of friction with former manager Martin Jol.
Nick Hammond (Director of football, Reading)
Former goalkeeping coach was appointed youth academy director at the Madejski in 2000 before becoming the Royals' first director of football in September 2003. Oversees transfer and contact negotiations at the club.
Dennis Wise (Executive football director, Newcastle United)
A surprising addition to the staff at St James' Park following the return of Kevin Keegan in January. Wise holds an executive role and reports to the chairman, Chris Mort, overseeing transfers, scouting and youth development.
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Dealer Nani Will Fit In Perfectly With West Ham Culture - SquareFootball.com
Paul Grech
For a club that has always prided itself for the development of its own players, the move by West Ham to appoint Gianluca Nani as director of football might seem a worrying break from tradition. Given that the club's most memorable moments over the past fifteen years came under the guidance of Harry Redknapp and his unquenchable itch for transfers that helped push them forward, however, it isn't an appointment that will bring about a complete change from those more recent traditions.
Nani is a much smoother operator than Redknapp yet he shares with him many talents. Few across Europe know football better than Gianluca Nani. Or, rather, few can spot talent better than he does.
This is the man who believed in Luca Toni when the rest of Italian football thought the player too cumbersome and ungraceful to progress beyond the Serie B. It was Nani who bought Marek Hamsik for ₤300,000 a figure which increased ten fold when Brescia came to sell him to Napoli last summer. And he was the one to coax Roberto Baggio into ending his career with the club.
The current Brescia side is a living tribute to the man. There's Emiliano Viviano, the goalkeeper taken from Fiorentina following their bankruptcy and who is developing into the best of his generation, or someone like Robert Fezcesin who was brought in from Sopron and has rapidly developed into one of the better strikers around, debuting and scoring for Hungary against Italy.
There are players also like Marius Stankevicius, the Lithuanian international spotted at Ekranes and who for some reason has been constantly overlooked by bigger clubs despite being a fine defender.
Indeed, Nani seems to be everywhere. Adam Vass was playing his career away at Stoke City's reserves, barely getting a look in when Brescia approached him. The eighteen year old agreed to move and within months he was bossing his way around the Serie B, attracting the interest of a host of top-flight clubs.
It is that special kind of intuition that West Ham will be getting in Nani. Given the failure of most of last summer's transfers, there's every reason to be relieved.
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Nani joins Hammers' backroom
David Harbord
Tuesday March 18, 2008
The Guardian
West Ham United yesterday unveiled Gianluca Nani as their new technical director. The Italian, who will start work in June at the Premier League club, has been employed in the same role at Brescia since 1999 and will now work at Upton Park helping to scout for players, further develop the Hammers' youth academy and take on other backroom duties.
Alan Curbishley, the West Ham manager, travelled to Italy last week to meet Nani and they discussed possible summer transfer targets.
"Gianluca is the person I need to help me in recruitment at the club, venturing down into the academy level," Curbishley said. "It is a big brief but I am sure he is up for it. He is vastly experienced.
"We are lacking at the club in terms of infrastructure and network, which you need now because it is a global game. Since I have been here the club has always been looking to push on and push forward. There was a void I felt needed to be filled. We don't want to hear about a player going to another club and not having known anything about it.
"We expect the infrastructure of the club when it comes to recruitment will be beefed up, giving us a chance to get the best home-grown players and foreign players."
Nani, who also speaks English, French and Spanish, said: "I am proud and honoured to be here at West Ham. I know it is a club full of history, I know West Ham play the right way. I met Alan and Scott Duxbury [West Ham's managing director] some months ago. We started to talk about the ambitions of the club. We have the same point of view. I am sure this is a club with incredible potential. We have to work to bring the club to its potential."
Duxbury said: "West Ham's aim is to be successful in the Premier League and Europe. A key factor in this is the appointment of Gianluca Nani as the club technical director. The manager led the recruitment process and interviewed all the potential candidates."
The Croatia coach, Slaven Bilic, recently touted as a replacement for Curbishley, is high on Hamburg's managerial wishlist. The Bundesliga club are keen to sign him after the Euro 2008 tournament in June. "We haven't talked about any concrete details yet," Bilic said, adding that he was also in talks with the Croatian FA about his coaching future.
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Gianluca Nani to join West Ham from Brescia - Telegraph
By Jeremy Wilson
Last Updated: 1:48am GMT 18/03/2008
Alan Curbishley has identified the immediate need to improve the club's scouting infrastructure as the central explanation for the appointment of West Ham United's first technical director. Gianluca Nani will leave his post as sporting director with the Serie B team Brescia in June to begin work at West Ham, where he has agreed a three-year contract.
Nani has no managerial background, but is renowned for his worldwide network of contacts and was Curbishley's preferred choice from a shortlist that is understood to have consisted of five overseas candidates.
"We are competing in a massive market," Curbishley said. "Domestically and on foreign shores we want to be better. Arsenal have been very successful. We want to be on a level playing field. I don't want to be pigeon-holed into one or two options [for players] - I want more than that."
Curbishley stressed that he will have the final say on all transfers. "I don't think he has got a managerial bone in him," he said. "I think there is a void at the club. We need this appointment in terms of the knowledge and networking."
Nani has impressed with his encyclopaedic knowledge of footballers and his remit will involve safeguarding West Ham's tradition of developing local players while also improving the club's global recruitment.
"I am here to help - I know my position," he said. "There is incredible potential. We talked about the ambitions of the club and we have the same point of view."
Those ambitions are lofty, with chief executive Scott Duxbury yesterday stating that the club aimed to challenge for trophies domestically and abroad.
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The Italian Job: £28m Budget to bring in the Worlds Elite Youngsters - CmonYouIrons
Gianluca Nani is well respected in the world for his wheeling and dealing in spotting young talent, as he did when he spotted Kaka, Adriano. With his current club Brescia he was given a £3.5m budget, part of this was to find talented young players, at West Ham, The Times believes he will get 8 times as much budget. Nani believes that young players with great skills are the way forward and especially after watching Sears in action on Saturday, West Ham are already considered in his view as 1 of the worlds best Academies. Curbishley will still have the last word on who HE thinks is suitable for the team, and then only HIS decision will be final, and to be honest, i can see lots of problems arising from this, but lets hope a Martin Jol saga doesn't happen at Upton Park.
I can actually visualise a bright future for West Ham, with Chairman & owner Björgólfur Guðmundsson, a wise and talented genius in the world of Banking & a keen eye for profitable business's. Executive Director Mike Lee, one of the main people behind London's successful bid for the 2012 Olympics, an expert in the communications world and will play a big part in decisions on the new Stadium. Technical director Gianluca Nani, as well as bringing top players to Curbs attention, his job will also be to oversee the development of the proposed new stadium and training ground. West Ham 1st team Manager, Alan Curbishley, And i hope with all the amazing talent he has around him, now, and in the future, makes this club The West Ham we all dream of.
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Fulham, West Ham target Bilic reveals Hamburg offer
tribalfootball.com - March 17, 2008
Croatia boss Slaven Bilic could be lost to the Premiership. Bilic has been linked with West Ham United and Fulham, but revealed he has an offer from Hamburg for next season. Bilic told Jutarnji List: "They made it clear that they want me to take over the team from this summer. "However, we haven't talked about any concrete details yet."
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Nani outlines Hammers targets - TeamTalk
New West Ham technical director Gianluca Nani insists he will not demolish the Hammers academy, despite hoping to unearth top overseas talent. Nani has agreed a three-year contract with West Ham and will join in the summer from Brescia, where he has helped develop the likes of Italian World Cup winners Andrea Pirlo and Luca Toni. Hammers manager Alan Curbishley has brought Nani on board after admitting he needs help finding his way in the global transfer market. Nani's main responsibility at West Ham will be to work with Curbishley on new signings, while also improving the club's international scouting network and developing the famed youth academy. Arsenal's success in recruiting talented young players is clearly an inspiration for West Ham and the Brescia academy is also multi-national. But Nani and Curbishley both stressed the importance of promoting home-grown talent at the club. Freddie Sears, the latest off the production line, scored on his debut against Blackburn on Saturday as West Ham came from behind to win 2-1. Nani said: "We are in a global market. We will try to find the best foreign players - but that doesn't mean we will break what is the best academy in England, maybe in the world. "We must improve the English players too because the fans like to recognise a player. We have to keep the tradition of bringing through English players. "We have to be proud of the work that has gone before in producing players like Frank Lampard Jnr and with Joe Cole. "We have to follow this tradition - but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to sign players like Kaka or Adriano when they are young. "This club has incredible potential. It is ambitious and we want the club to meet that potential."
Curbishley, himself a product of the Hammers academy, realised last year West Ham were lagging behind other Barclays Premier League clubs when it came to recruitment at all levels, from the youth team to the first team. "I need to have my eyes opened," he said. "I need more information. At the moment we are limited in our choices. "Football is a global business now and at the moment I don't think we are in a position to compete. "In Gianluca we have brought in a man who can help me enormously in what I want to do and help push the club forward. "We need that knowledge and I haven't got that knowledge.
"That network and infrastructure is something we are lacking at the club and will be beefed up. "It will give us as much a chance of securing home-grown talent, foreign talent, young players, experienced players, as the other clubs. "If you look at the top of the Premier League, the clubs have people out there constantly trying to bring that talent to the club. That is what we feel we need. "It will not hinder the traditions of this club but we have got to compete more," added Curbishley.
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Italy Manager Supremo Marcello Lippi wants Premier Manager Job -CmonYouIrons
Well Well its all about Italians this week.
Now it seems one of the worlds finest managers wants to work as a Premier League Manager, I know a position he could have!!
Italy's World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi has refused to rule out a move to the Premier League at some point in the future.
Lippi, who has been out of work since leading Italy to success in the 2006 World Cup, has been continually linked with a move to England.
The former Juventus chief is believed to be keen on a return to management and admits he would be interested in a switch to the Premier League
"It [working in the Premier League] could be an interesting experience, but I can't go knocking on the doors of clubs," Lippi told Sky Sports News.
"If a club were to come to me, we could talk.
"I still see my future on a football pitch for a few years yet - as soon as there is a solution which I like, one that that interest me."
BG Grab this Guy Lippi, We can all wear T Shirt's with West Ham Utd (The Mob) on them
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Alan Curbishley insists he's still the boss at West Ham - the Mirror
Neil Mcleman 18/03/2008
Alan Curbishley last night insisted 'I'm still the boss' after Gianluca Nani was unveiled as West Ham's new Technical Director. The 45-year-old Italian will join the club in June to oversee transfer dealings in a new continental-style structure at Upton Park. Nani, who has never played professional football, arrives from Serie B side Brescia where he signed Roberto Baggio and discovered Adriano and Kaka in Brazil before he was outbid by the big clubs. But Curbishley, who eased the pressure on his position with a 2-1 win over Blackburn at the weekend, was keen to stress he is still the No.1 football man at the club. "It is my final say on all transfers," the manager stated. "If it comes to us signing players, I will talk about the position I think I need. Gianluca and his staff and my staff will bring up suggestions and we will do our homework and I will decide which way we will go. I don't think there is going to be any interference on that."
West Ham have been looking for a Technical Director since former chairman Eggert Magnusson, who oversaw the summer signing spree, left the club in December. The Icelandic owners are clearly looking for better value for money than they have got on transfers and contracts so far. And Curbs was keen to stress he wanted the help, especially in foreign markets. "There is avoid at the club and we need this appointment in terms of the knowledge and the networking that Gianluca can bring to us," he added. Arsenal have been very successful at that in recent years. You will see this role become the norm in the Premier League. I am looking forward to picking his brains."
But the history of the twotier structure in the English game has featured more infighting than harmony. The last Technical Director to be appointed in the Premier League, Avram Grant, took over from Jose Mourinho as boss just two months later. But Curbishley claimed the new structure at West Ham would not create the same problems. "I've been a major part of the recruitment and in the job description," he said. "Perhaps at other clubs there has been a more far-reaching brief as Technical Director. "We are concentrating on one area where we need help. I don't envisage any problems with this." Another big difference is that the multi-lingual Nani - he speaks Spanish and French as well as passable English - is not a football coach. Nani, chosen from a shortlist of five non-English candidates, said: "I have no ambition to be manager. "I just like doing the work I am doing and Alan is the manager. He might ask my idea or opinion. But he is the manager and decides. "I don't want to be manager. I am a Technical Director not a manager. I was an amateur player but I was not good enough."
Showing his cheeky side, he added: "I was a manager, too. Don't worry, Alan, I was an amateur." Curbishley, who suffered three consecutive 4-0 defeats before the weekend win over Rovers, shot back: "That has been levelled at me this past week!" Nani also claimed he would have no problem calling Curbishley "boss". He said: "Why not? Sure, not a problem." But Nani's main role will be scouting Europe and South America for new talent. "We try to bring the best players," he said. "Maybe it could be another Paolo Di Canio, but we will try to bring the best that we can."
NANI'S JOB..
Improving West Ham's international scouting network.
Working with Alan Curbishley on all transfers.
Developing the youth academy.
Improving the training ground.
..AND OTHER PREM LEAGUE DIRECTORS OF FOOTBALL
Chelsea: Frank Arnesen appointed Chief Scout and Director of Youth Development in September 2005.
Reading: Nick Hammond hired as Diretor of Football in 2003.
Tottenham: Damien Comolli appointed Director of Football in 2005.
Newcastle: Dennis Wise given the job of Executive Director of Football on Tyneside in January this year.
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West Ham boss Curbishley: I'm in charge of transfers
tribalfooball.com - March 17, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley maintains he will have final say on all transfers, despite the appointment of new technical director Gianluca Nani.
"I will pick his brains, pick his network and ask for advice - but I will always have the final say," he said. "I have been a major part in the recruitment and in the job description. Maybe at other clubs the technical director has had more of a far-reaching brief. "We are concentrating on one area where we feel we need help. "If you look at his record while he has been at Brescia, the players who have gone through that club, it has been a breeding ground for a lot of the big clubs in Italy. "A lot of the players playing in the national side have gone through Brescia."
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West Ham's Solano reveals MLS offer
tribalfootball.com - March 17, 2008
Nolberto Solano has snubbed an offer from a Major League Soccer club to stay with West Ham and the midfielder says he will be offered a one-year extension. Toronto recently approached the Peru international regarding his services, but the former Newcastle fans' favourites feels it is not the moment for him to move to the USA. The 33-year-old is flattered to have been offered the chance to work again under former Magpies assistant John Carver, who manages Toronto, and will think about finishing his career with the MLS club in the future. "I'm under contract with West Ham," he told RPP. "They have spoken to me regarding a one-year extension. The truth is that I feel lucky to be up there in England, where the football is currently improving. "That's not a coincidence if the teams achieve important things in the Champions League, it shows the league has grown. "It'd be interesting to finish my career there. I've worked with the coach and the assistant and I know them pretty well. But it's not the right moment. "I thank them to have thought of me and it makes me feel proud."
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