Hammers unveil Italy's Nani as technical director
Monday, 17 Mar 2008 14:46
West Ham unveil Gianluca Nani as technical director
West Ham United have unveiled Italian Gianluca Nani as the club's first-ever technical director.
The 45-year-old will leave his current post of sporting director at Brescia – which he has held since 1999 – when his contract with the Serie B club runs out in June.
A West Ham statement explained Nani had already met with Alan Curbishley to identify potential transfer targets.
His main responsibilities at Upton Park, the board claim, will be technical development, the youth academy, transfers and training facilities.
"I am excited about the experience," Nani, a fluent English speaker, said. "It is very different and I am proud to be working in England."
Nani was handed the post after a six-month search by the club's Icelandic owners, who arrived in east London two years ago.
He has been credited with the emergence of Italian national team stars Andrea Pirlo and Luca Toni and was instrumental in unfashionable Brescia signing Roberto Baggio in 2000.
In a statement released to accompany Nani's appointment, the board said West Ham was "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," the message read.
West Ham currently occupy tenth place in the Premier League, three points behind Blackburn in ninth but eight ahead of Tottenham in 11th.
On Saturday the Hammers ended a run of three straight 4-0 losses by defeating Rovers 2-1.