But other variables, such as the ability to control a ball under pressure, are near impossible to assess empirically. But for a club with Watfords limited resources survival is the primary objective (the bottom three teams each season are relegated). These are parts of our football club's daily life too seldom spoken about. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. If you didnt have that speed of decision-making, he wouldnt be here now.. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. One strategy is to use the loan market to their advantage. Since their most recent promotion to the Premier League in 2015, they have, on average, acquired and sold more players than any other side in Englands top division. The government has made that clear and the culture secretary Oliver Dowden enforced that . Training Ground Guru Watfords scouts are instructed to get to know a players agents, even his parents, to better understand their desires in advance of any transfer. In an office locked away from the hubbub is Gino Pozzo, Watfords owner. Given the clubs faith in their scouting network, they are not fearful of players leaving and as such they can be upfront to them when they join. "Relegation'stough as it is, but when you have a worldwide pandemic, you have the Coronavirus, it nearly brought the club to its knees and to be able to navigate through that, and come back and be back in the Premier League, it's everything. . To see staff profiles for other clubs, click here. Our players and coaching staff have gone into the team hotel earlier than scheduled to take away all other distractions and ensure the sole focus hones in on delivering a performance that our supporters can be proud of this afternoon. Saturday May 09 2020, 12.01am, The Times. Spent six-and-a-half seasons at Eintracht Frankfurt, as Scout, Chief Scout and then Director of Professional Football. That is why he chose Watford. They should not be competing in the Champions League but it is only because of the expertise of the Pozzos and the infrastructure they have developed that they are doing it year in and year out. Watford are one of the Premier Leaguespoorest clubs. personalising content and ads, providing social media features and to Over the course of a decade, he held trials for five million children across Africa, Latin America and south-east Asia. Also what the Pozzos don't do is just sign an influx of foreign players. A brief summary of attendees and headline areas discussed will be publicised after each meeting, with more detailed notes from any such conversations circulated confidentially among Fans Committee participants. We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. We dont want to hide behind anything. Though there is a desire to develop other parts of Watfords business, from expanding their stadium and seeking sponsorship deals, the obsession is trading players. Thats the emotion, laughs Duxbury as he recounts the story to me. Truth be told there is a myth about Watfords transfer set-up. Role: Chairperson. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. Fosters not consistent. He has seen it at Udinese and he has seen it at Granada. Comments have been closed on this article. Its a big operation for a club of their size, but those with more money can afford more spotters. of belonging, and its wish to inspire those in the local community. It is when players dont leave, thats the issue.. In his award-winning 2013 bookThe Nowhere Men, football writer Michael Calvin followed the lives of English talent spotters. All major decisions are made by a triumvirate of Pozzo, Duxbury and Giraldi. Simply put, staying in the Premier League is valuable. contact the editor here. That system is headed up by Duxbury, owner Gino Pozzo and technical director Filippo Giraldi. Calvin after shadowing people such as Mel Johnson, who spotted current international starsGareth Bale andRaheem Sterling as teenagers reckons scouts develop intuition that allows them to divine which players will make it to the top. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? Abdoulaye Doucoure has won several suitors for his performances this term, You must be at least 18 years old to create an account, Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number, I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. Qualified as a lawyer and worked in that capacity for West Ham before becoming their chief executive. In the three seasons since promotion, Watford have secured 12 victories on one occasion and 11 wins in the other two. Watford chief executive Scott Duxbury (left) with technical director Filippo Giraldi In an office locked away from the hubbub is Gino Pozzo, Watford's owner. A lot of the bigger clubs, they will look at a player and they need a little more convincing, a little more proof. Please report any comments that break our rules. Heurelho Gomes, who is likely to start in goal on Saturday, was a free signing. But no club in the Pozzo family stable has been relegated for more than 20 years. The Watford hierarchy have said their "efforts surrounding the team were not good enough" following the Hornets' relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season. No matter that the team had recently made a great start to the season, winning their first four games. However, the way they were developed after that was completely different, as former Brighton Academy Manager John Morling tells TGG. well take a risk. Everyone has been aware of that this week. Well send you a myFT Daily Digest email rounding up the latest Life & Arts news every morning. Of course, no one is perfect and Watford have made mistakes. WATFORD ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED(THE) (00104194) Company status Active Correspondence address Vicarage Road Stadium, Vicarage Road, Watford Hertfordshire, WD18 0ER. We dont want a guy from Watford and one from Udinese watching the same game, that would be stupid.. One example is Richarlison de Andrade, the Brazilian forward sold to Everton this summer for a reported 35.2m. We have to do something different. How the biggest companies plan mass lay-offs, The benefits of revealing neurodiversity in the workplace, Tim Peake: I do not see us having a problem getting to Mars, Michelle Yeoh: Finally we are being seen, Our ski trip made me question my life choices, Apocalypse then: lessons from history in tackling climate shocks, How data analysis helps football clubs make better signings. There is an assumption the head coach just sits there as players come and go like diners at a buffet. They try to keep the identity of the club, so I think Watford fans should be really encouraged. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. Duxbury claimed that financial pressure was not the only thing the clubfound it difficult to contend with during the season, saying that the Watford "family" not being entirely on the same page at moments during the campaign caused added stress. [Even if the club have] no possibility of playing him because he hasnt got a work permit. It can be considered a London club, it has great history and - ironically as it annoys the fans - the fact the stand has not been developed is seen as a positive because they know they can make a big impact. This will be an extremely exciting campaign for the club . . If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to A larger scouting network is able to cover more ground. For ourselves, that would do a huge disservice to a great body of staff who are the very heartbeat of what Watford Football Club is all about; the path it was set on by the pioneering family initiatives driven by Elton John and Graham Taylor. He is the managing director of Vitol, a Geneva-based oil trading company. That is tough to actually deal with and we had to do that and we had to keep a team that was competitive with literally no income that was coming into the football club. The programme produced a youth team that beat a Brazilian under-17 side featuring Neymar and Philippe Coutinho, who would go on to become two of the most expensive players ever. Wed be delighted to learn of your interest. Scouts deploy no fixed tests. "There were moments where it was touch and go whether we thought we could actually continue, but we managed to find a way through, we managed to adapt, and we've got back to the Premier League, which iseverything for this football club. Scouts deliver their reports directly to the ruling trio rather than through other layers of management. But is it bad? The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused. For now, then, on the back of several weeks without a home fixture, lets all come together and create something special this afternoon; something everyone can use as a catalyst for a very positive end to the season as we bid to retain Premier League status. Other organisations maintain a similar constellation of clubs. . In a change to the Fans Forums and At Your Places of yesteryear, during which it was becoming increasingly difficult to talk openly and in relative confidence, the Fans Committee is designed to re-ignite those really open and frank conversations, with follow-ups planned that involve other members of the clubs senior management team as appropriate to the likely topics for discussion. He was told that Domingos Quina, an 18-year-old Portuguese midfielder with West Ham United, was in the car park of Watfords training ground and wanted a move to Watford. For primary use with Football Manager 2021. . The rapid turnover appears to cause little disruption. Yet now, today, its not about a bid to retain status, or where we will finish in the league at the end of the season, its far more important than that. We try to have independence between [Udinese and Watford], says Giraldi. Each email has a link to unsubscribe. Between Udinese and Watford, the family own about 80 senior players, each representing a potential blockbuster transfer. Joined Watford in December 2022. A Gannett Company. To pretend the league situation is anything other than it is would be futile the stark reality of the Premier League table bears witness to that. If we need their support with regards to money, we will get it. Sociology graduate student at the Ohio State University. To keep up with their peers, Watford are increasing their spending on acquisitions. Duxbury has spent most of his adult life involved in football after qualifying as a lawyer. "Everything was against us. Foreign imports, says Giraldi, offer better value for money: If you want to be economically efficient, [buy players in] South America. It is unfashionable and it is small. The initial cohort of fans was drawn from a wide representation. Watford chairman and CEO Scott Duxbury has described the club's promotion to the Premier League as the biggest achievement in his career. Of the 28 teams to have played in the Premier League in the past three years, only four have bought a lower percentage of players from the British Isles, according to 21st Club. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. For now, at least, Watfords player trading strategy is working. Scott Duxbury sets out #watfordfc's position on Project Restart. There are modern efforts to improve scouting through the use of data analytics. PROFESSOR David Sumpter says Ajax are like a 'University of football' and are building an understanding of the game from the foundations up. The Pozzos have faced more serious allegations. Goalkeeper Ben Foster cost 3.5m and Jose Holebas 2.5m. Scott Duxbury in 2021. Watford's five-year top-flight stay ended after a 3-2 loss at Arsenal and Aston Villa's draw against West Ham. Filter appointments . This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. contact the editor here. It's time to reflect on a job well done in winning promotion back. Duxbury returned to England to head up a sports practice and it was then that he met Gino Pozzo. The family have vehemently denied the allegations. But fortunes changed under Nigel Pearson and the former Leicester boss guided Watford out of the relegation zone with seven victories and 25 points from his 20 games in charge. You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. All 20 Premier League teams deploy global scouting networks to unearth hidden gems, sifting through thousands of footballers eager to play in thewealthiest club competition in world football. There is a long list of top footballers who have emerged through Udineses ranks, including Colombias Juan Cuadrado, Moroccos Medhi Benatia and Slovenias Samir Handanovi. The only place youll be able to find fresh content from throughout the club, including behind-the-scenes access at training, interviews with stars past and present and all the best action from each and every Watford FC Premier League game. As well as various roles in the Spanish leagues, including three spells at Mlaga CF, has worked for FC Dnipro in the Ukranian Premier League and for the Panama national team. Terms & Conditions Are you sure you want to delete this comment? We had the worldwide pandemic, we had no fans here. How to get into football - the most popular sport in the world, with clubs and facilities throughout the UK. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website, Here's How Drew Barrymore Made Her $125 Million Fortune, Kim Kardashians $150 Million Private Jet Has Strict Rules, Travis Barker Releases New CBD Skincare, But Its Causing Controversy, Moving To Canada? We are very proud of this football club. And while our full focus is of course on the current season, if you are thinking about things beyond the end of this campaign then I do hope Season Ticket holders reading in have already seen fit to renew for next year courtesy of the reduced prices offered within our Early Renewal period. HP10 9TY. That role only lasted five months, before Simm returned to Watford as first-team physio in October 2018. Has been at Watford since 2012, when the Pozzo family took over, and is a key figure on both the football and business sides of the club. Duxbury has assumed a similar role at Watford to the one he held at West Ham, where he was criticised for his part in the Carlos Tevez affair. To find out what Watford do differently, I travelled to their training ground just off the northern edge of the M25 motorway, Londons ring road. Off the pitch, the club is thriving and will continue to thrive. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. Went full time with the U21s in July 2016 and promoted to the first team in July 2018. And when I say cheap, in terms of transfer fee, it can be similar, but in terms of salary, [there is] a massive difference. A few weeks ago, SirElton John, international pop star, sent a message to Scott Duxbury, chief executive of Watford football club. Has a strong background in analysis as well as coaching. We cannot suggest for one moment you havent tried to play your part. Captain Troy Deeney said he does not know if he has played his last game for the club. Along with the clubs Finance Director Emiliano Russo and Head of Communications Richard Walker, it was refreshing to be able to speak with supporters in an environment where confidentiality from both sides was assured. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to It's surreal. A Gannett Company. The Watford way is to buy cheaper, little-known players, then sell them at a profit. Scott Duxbury, Watford chief executive. This is a risky strategy. But Watford largely eschew such methods, Giraldi says. If we just simply replicate what the bigger clubs are doing, were going to fail, because we dont have their resources. This is your chance to discuss club matters with senior club officials, as host Michael Kurn is joined by Scott Duxbury, CEO & Chairman, and Head Coach Vladi. In 1986, his father Giampaolo bought Italian club Udinese with money from the familys toolmaking company. After another three seasons with Udineses first team, Sanchez was sold to Barcelona for a reported fee of 23.4m. We use Comments have been closed on this article. The multi-platinum selling singer is Watford's honorary life president and was chairman during their rise from the old Fourth Division to the top flight during the 1970s and early 80s. Last year, the club were fined 3.95m after admitting that one of their senior executives submitted a forged bank letter in filings related to Gino Pozzos takeover. The asking price for their preferred target went to a level we werent comfortable with. The small room, packed with circular tables, fills with noise. But judging ability is tricky. Improvements and developments must and will be made. In the UK, footballers from non-EU countries cannot gain work visas unless they satisfy certain eligibility requirements, such as playing for their national teams or racking up games in a major European league. Read our, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}. (He rarely gives interviews and declined to speak to the FT.) Pozzo, 52, is the mastermind behind Watfords trading strategies. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. Tom Heaton. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. You deserve better. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's The calendar adjusts to your time zone and will automatically update throughout the season, so you'll never miss a match! Watford chairman Scott Duxbury says at least six of the 20 English Premier League clubs are concerned about the plan to use neutral stadiums to finish the season. Coaches, they have a limited shelf life, says Duxbury. Last updated on 27 July 202027 July 2020.From the section Watford. Udinese is a really small town on the outskirts of Italy. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. Overseas players are attracted to Watford as it gives them an invaluable shop window into Europes top leagues, a platform from which they can convince bigger clubs to acquire them. Should a club hire a player on their recommendation, a scout earns a bonus of a few hundred pounds. Former Chelsea and England striker Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live: "The owner dictates everything and he needs to have a good look at himself. Tom Sizemore dead: Hollywood star dies aged 61 after brain aneurysm, Messages show Hancocks reaction after Gina Coladangelo CCTV leak, Lifeboats dispatched after fire breaks out on ferry in English Channel, Ambulance strikes called off in London as ministers agree to pay talks, Mother and daughter found dead in flat months after last being seen, US lawyer Alex Murdaugh jailed for life for murdering wife and son, Deulofeu winning fitness battle ahead of FA Cup Final, Gomes yet to make retirement decision ahead of FA Cup Final, Belgian mother who killed 5 children euthanised 16 years after deaths, Estate agent wins legal fight with interior designer over 10m sale, Constance Marten: Dead baby found wrapped in plastic bag, court hears, 300 new Ulez cameras rolled out but none in rebel boroughs. 00:00, Sun, May 10, 2020 | UPDATED: 22:29, Sun, May 10, 2020. Watford chief executive Scott Duxbury reveals that the Hornets will sign more new players during the January transfer window.
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