Reactions to West Ham Technical Director

Here are some of the West Ham staff's reactions to the appointment of the new Technical Director, Gianluca Nani. Staring with the man himself,

"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.

"I know the history of West Ham. I know the fans are really passionate, like the football has to be - played with passion."

"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."


Alan Curbishley said on the new appointment,

"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 become 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."