Filippo Giraldi - Head Of Player Recruitment

Not only that, but there was also a team spirit that even spilled over into the first few months of the Mazzarri season as we overcame a nightmare opening set of fixtures and were as high as 7th approaching Christmas. The performances at the end of the Flores season were poor and flat granted, but with the exception of one or two games, lack of effort or spirit wasn't an issue, nor was seemingly picking and choosing games to perform in which became an infuriating recurring theme in later seasons. But then we played terribly at Sunderland (a match that was like watching a Championship game) and with the exception of 2018/19 and a couple of brief spells under Silva and Pearson, it's not been the same since. Could the inconsistency of the recruitment have played a part in this, leading to a largely dysfunctional squad?

 

Can we propose Filippo Giraldi for the post of Sporting Director at Aston Villa? wfc4ever mentioned that Garcia Pitarch has been dismissed today because he signed so many expensive flops for Villa. I am sure that many of the posters on this forum will provide glowing references for Giraldi. He can take charge of their scouting network and he will also be able to instruct Dean Smith and John Terry on tactics, team selection and substitutions (plus make notes about their training methods for Christian Purslow).

 

I think it's down to Troy. He's held up as our leader and talisman yet he openly admitted he didnt care about football for about 18 months after Mazarri dropped him. What kind of a leader says that. Troy bull$hit Gino into massively overpaying him and payed him back by starting the Mazzari season completely out of shape - what a great example from our leader. Troy had the ability to change a game but only very occasionally. His performances are highly erratic and often shyte. It must rub off on the rest of the team seeing this untouchable static overweight narcissist who rarely scores from open play being held up as our talismen. It's a complete pi$$take. It's always all about Troy, there's not enough space for others to develop and flourish. With poisonous egomaniacs like Troy and Giraldi dominating the club, it was never going to end well.

 

I've been digging back to find out when Giraldi took over, as expected it's harder than it should be because we annouce F all. According to an interview with WO after Nani left in September 2014 Dowling took over most of his responsibilities. The first reference I can find to Giraldi being Technical Director is that article by Affleck in Feb 2017. So it's feasible that the Summer 2015 transfer window you refer to was actually under Luke Dowling, and the downward curve started once Giraldi was promoted in Summer 2016 (estimated).

 

So what role was he doing in 2013 when he was on the pitch after Deeney scored against Leicester patting him on the back and telling the team to get back and defend?

 

So we'd miss out on the next Success and Navarro?

 

Ah you’re right. Nani left just as the promotion season got underway.

 

Apparently that's what head scouts do...

 

Wasn't he head scout, before becoming director of football?

 

Yes. He was definitely there. Put on a fair bit of weight since.

 

Looks like everyone's wish could be coming true




Paul Gilmour
@skysportspaulg

Exclusive: Watford in talks with former Italy striker Cristiano Lucarelli over director of football role. He’s currently the Head Coach of Serie C side Catania. 6 caps for Italy as a player.

 

Well he's certainly got a colourful Wikipedia page. One for comrade @Clive_ofthe_Kremlin to get behind!

 

Anyone got any ideas about his post-playing career? Hopefully the mere fact that he's not Giraldi is a plus!

 

Managed 8 clubs in 7 years...been at Catania twice

 

Used to be an excellent striker - very enjoyable to watch, a real bulldozer.

We could really do with someone like him in his prime to lead the line. Maybe he can find us a young replica of him?

Bizarrely, as I'm sure Clive will be delighted to hear, according to wiki he is a communist supporter and "a staunch admirer of Che Guevara".

His managerial record seems pretty mediocre, with a couple of average finishes for Serie C club Catania and getting fired from Serie B club Livorno.

Purely based on how he was as a player, he seems very no nonsense and the type of character who wouldn't put up with much sh** and lack of effort from guys like Deeney. I doubt he'll be as chummy with the squad as Giraldi was. He's certainly a football man and seems passionate.

 

Was a very good player, seems to have a no-nonsense attitude and doesn't seem greedy. Sounds good to me.

 

Love that Hives track, it sounds like it belongs in the 80s

 

We currently have a Technical Director in Giraldi and a Sporting Director in Eric Roy - whose job has never really been clear at all.

Have to wonder if a Director of Football reports to Giraldi and will be the hands-on, giving-orders-from-the-stands person on matchdays? Or replaces Roy? Or replaces Giraldi?

 

Yes but what would make him a good director of football? Wouldn't it be better if we got someone who knows about the English leagues

 

Not sure if this would be a direct replacement for FG.

I believe his title is ‘Technical Director’, so perhaps it’s a merging of his and Roy’s roles. Would imagine FG will stick around, but maybe focusing more on other duties instead of recruitment.

Although, the head coach vacancy is still open.....

 

Wow. True. How would we unearth the next Dawson if that happens?

 

He could certainly score a free kick. One director of football I'd be happy interfering on the training ground if he could teach our useless bunch how to get a ball up and over a wall.

 

One of the Watford Twitterers saying Eric Roy's contract expires this summer, so could be a replacement for him rather than anything to do with Giraldi.

 

Sounds like a top comrade.

Perhaps I ought to start the Brigate Autonome Horneterensi in his honour.

 

Update from Leventhal:

#WatfordFC latest

Developments re change in environment around head coach mentioned in piece for @TheAthleticUK below

Ex-Italy striker Cristiano Lucarelli (44yrs) set to become Sporting Director/DOF with Eric Roy departing. More restructuring expected.
https://t.co/HRWd0kdx1h

 

Oh OK, maybe not quite what we were expecting, but surely he'll be of more use than Eric Roy still

 

I've always wondered if its a case of 'too many cooks' - not sure we need a Sporting Director AND Technical Director.

 

Levanthal frantically hitting refresh on the forum to get the latest breaking news...

 

What did Eric Roy do? Never heard of him until a few days ago

 

Fess up lads, which one of us if Leventhal?

 

Surely he'd replace someone? Why on earth would they add another staff member if they need to save money?