contact the editor here. Elton John Splurges On Luxury Toronto Apartment, The 8 Biggest Deals On Shark Tank Ever, Ranked, John Wick's Garage: 10 Crazy Expensive Motorcycles In Keanu Reeves' Collection, Inside Red Sea Project: The $5 Billion Saudi Desert Megaresort, Larsa Pippens New $3.3 Million Miami Penthouse, A Peek Inside Tom Hardy's Insane Car Collection. Born on 1st March 1972. But it will be the trio of Duxbury, Nani and Zola who will run the club, on and off the pitch. Two-thirds of those awarded a professional contract at the age of 18 abandon the sport by 21. (He rarely gives interviews and declined to speak to the FT.) Pozzo, 52, is the mastermind behind Watfords trading strategies. Watford FC Chairman & CEO Scott Duxbury shares his thoughts ahead of this afternoons Premier League clash with Leeds United Late last week, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting a small group of fans to begin a longer-term and wide-ranging process of discussions under the banner of a newly-constituted Fans Committee. His time at Upton Park was controversial though, with the club fined 30m because of the Carlos Tevez affair, and he left in 2010 when David Gold and David Sullivan took over. The Pozzos are masters of regulatory arbitrage. "We are a Premier League football club now. Also what the Pozzos don't do is just sign an influx of foreign players. Duxbury said: Their whole philosophy is that they believe in the men they put in place and they are there to provide support. Joined in August 2020 from Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia, where he had worked since February 2019. Enough. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? 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. Somewhere, there is a better player than [the one] you are chasing. Terms & Conditions The move to acquire clubs has given the Pozzos operation greater scale. "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. "There was moments where we weren't perhaps achieving what we thought we would do and people were turning against us, and the fans were turning against us, but we believed in what we were doing. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. For primary use with Football Manager 2021. . Still, the longer they stay in the Premier League, the richer the club get. . There, I meet two of Watfords key leaders Duxbury, 46, a square-shouldered Englishman in a pinstripe suit, and technical director Filippo Giraldi, a 43-year-old Italian with an unkempt air. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. In a chaotic campaign, the club had four different managers. These are parts of our football club's daily life too seldom spoken about. PROFESSOR David Sumpter says Ajax are like a 'University of football' and are building an understanding of the game from the foundations up. Then, Pozzo, Giraldi and Duxbury draw up lists of around four desirable players in each position, as well as tallies of younger targets that could eventually graduate into the side. 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? Everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment. Captain Troy Deeney said he does not know if he has played his last game for the club. That is what we are all working towards.. Their opponents in Saturdays FA Cup Final, Manchester City, may be viewed as leaders in the transfer market, given their power to sign marquee names, but Watfords ability to build a squad on a fraction of the budget of their Wembley rivals arguably makes them one of the best operators. "So for us to be able to deal with that and get theteam spirit to come back, was remarkable.". British businessman and board member of Watford FC, David Fransen has a net worth of$104.26 million. Watford's chairman and chief executive Scott Duxbury sits in The Gate pub in Chorleywood, five miles away from Vicarage Road. See all the latest from stars such as Troy Deeney, William Troost-Ekong, Nathaniel Chalobah, Ismala Sarr, Joo Pedro, Ken Sema, Domingos Quina and many more.Youll also be able to find out much more about the history of the club, including legends such as Graham Taylor, Elton John, Luther Blissett and John Barnes. Joined Watford in August 2022. He had been bought just a season earlier for 11.5m from Brazils Fluminense but Duxbury says he was actually the clubs second choice for a new attacking player. Even so, the Watford way is not to be tampered with. But no club in the Pozzo family stable has been relegated for more than 20 years. Picture: Holly Cant. The deal would have been quite a return for Pozzo, given he paid 500,000 to buy Watford six years ago as well clearing the clubs debts of about 10m. He is the managing director of Vitol, a Geneva-based oil trading company. The ability to make such speedy decisions stems from extensive planning. There is an assumption the head coach just sits there as players come and go like diners at a buffet. It must be on Watford's terms, too, as they showed when they held out until Everton paid . 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 head coach will say, for example, he wants a winger with pace who can play on both flanks and the scouting team will look for someone who meets those needs. One heavy defeat was all it took to suggest replacing Ben Foster, Watfords vastly experienced new goalkeeper, with Heaton, a highly rated recent England international. He decided to do something about it and the result is the Routes App - a digital record of a scholar's journey. The suggestion that Watford is a London club is something of a touchy subject with a lot of supporters, considering the side are based in Hertfordshire, but the link with the capital was a huge positive for the Pozzos. In 2009, Pozzo led the familys acquisition of Spanish club Granada (subsequently sold in 2016 to Chinese group Link International Sports for a reported 37m). If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to Pen pics of Watford's coaching, science, medicine and analytics staff. The government has made that clear and the culture secretary Oliver Dowden enforced that . There will be more from the Hornets new chief executive in next weeks Watford Observer. Watford chairman and CEO Scott Duxbury has described the club's promotion to the Premier League as the biggest achievement in his career. 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. As was the case with Richarlison, clubs are eyeing Pereyra, Deulofeu and Abdoulaye Doucoure but if they are sold this summer, you can be sure Watford are ready to replace them. 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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. Premier League champions Manchester City have created a database of 300,000 players, with the club identifying just three targets in each position they consider the best in the world. For his 2018 bookThe Away Game, author Sebastian Abbot followed Spaniard Josep Colomer who, as a coach at Barcelona, nurtured a youthfulLionel Messi before the Argentine developed into the worlds best player. . The company made a turnover of $297 billion in 2011. Its the situation here, and when you [join] Watford, you know what you are going to find, says current head coach Javi Gracia, 48, who took over in January. 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. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. OUR Scouting and Recruitment Webinar is back for a second edition and will once again provide industry insights from leading experts in the game. That's where we should be. Please report any comments that break our rules. In 2006, Udinese signed a 17-year-old Alexis Snchez for 2.7m from Chilean club Cobreloa but immediately loaned him to other South American sides. Data profile of Scott Duxbury who is contracted to Watford. This year, Watford rejected an offer from an American media company to buy a 35.7 per cent stake in the club for 125m, valuing it at a whopping 350m. We have to be scrupulously honest with ourselves and admit our efforts surrounding the team were not good enough. Joined club in November 2020, having been assistant at Deportivo Alavs in La Liga. In a joint statement,external-link owner Gino Pozzo and chief executive Scott Duxbury expressed "great disappointment". Role Active Director Appointed on 12 July 2012 . He worked with former Manchester United director Maurice Watkins at James Chapman and Co and was seconded to the Red Devils. Difficult in practice. Watford are one of the Premier Leaguespoorest clubs. Following the takeover, Watford signed 10 players on loan from Udinese to boost the team. On Monday, Pozzo and Duxbury added: "Every club wants to be playing at the highest possible level. and other data for a number of reasons, such as keeping FT Sites reliable and secure, If you look at the world in front of you, there is somewhere a better player than [the one] you are chasing., The same approach applies to managers. "There were other clubs they spoke to but none really had the history of Watford and quite frankly the potential. Analysis and opinion from our chief football writer. 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. . Worked for Newcastle for five years before a four-month stint at Everton in 2021/22. We cant match them pound for pound.. 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. It must be on Watfords terms, too, as they showed when they held out until Everton paid 40m for Richarlison. Enter your password to log in. "We came here eight years ago, we are now an established Premier League football club and that's where we belong.". Although supporter engagement of this kind has been a while in the making during this season, we feel last weeks meeting constituted a really positive first step in better opening up structured and long-lasting lines of two-way communication. But judging ability is tricky. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can As we chat, ravenous players filter in following a training session. Our team will resume duty as soon as possible to start preparing for the best summer transfers file! Comments have been closed on this article. "That's been our biggest strength that, as a fan base, asan ownership, as a management, we're all together. 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. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. [Its about] getting the experience I need to hopefully go on to bigger things. If we need their support with scouting networks, players and commercial know-how, then they are very much there for us in a supporting function, rather than interfering in the day-to-day running of the club. The small room, packed with circular tables, fills with noise. The clubs scouts had been tracking the player for months but believed he was beyond reach. Also a well-travelled coach, having managed sides in Croatia, Russia, Turkey, England, Saudi Arabia and China. By James Walters. Was a goalkeeper in his homeland, playing more than 300 senior games, before moving into coaching with Como and then Udinese, Watford's sister club. In response, the English Football League (EFL), the body that regulates professional divisions below the Premier League, changed its rules so that clubs could no longer benefit from a huge influx of foreign loanees. Only a couple of months into a long season, Watford are already more than halfway to reaching an internal target. . Team Focus: Watford Formed: 1881 Stadium: Vicarage Road Stadium (21,000) Captain: Tom Cleverley Chairman: Scott Duxbury Manager: Slaven Bili Competitions: Championship position 3 They watch matches, then attempt to decipher which players have what it takes. It's about respecting our supporters and our club. Well send you a myFT Daily Digest email rounding up the latest Life & Arts news every morning. 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. The family have vehemently denied the allegations. This club means everything to me. 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. Recruitment is, in many ways, a bit of a lottery, he says. Was Bilics assistant at Hajduk Split, Al-Ittihad, West Brom and Beijing Guoan and does opposition scouting and analysis as well as coaching. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. Vicarage Roads 21,000 capacity is little more than a quarter ofManchester Uniteds Old Trafford. The close relationships with the local community in all its forms and the investment in club infrastructure will continue with purpose and enthusiasm. The rapid turnover appears to cause little disruption. 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. Watford look set for another season in Englands top tier following an outstanding start to this term. Scott Duxbury speaking after Watford were promoted to the Premier League. We dont want a guy from Watford and one from Udinese watching the same game, that would be stupid.. For primary use with Football Manager 2021. A lot of the bigger clubs, they will look at a player and they need a little more convincing, a little more proof. The Pozzos have their own family wealth, he says. To keep up with their peers, Watford are increasing their spending on acquisitions. The Watford way is to buy cheaper, little-known players, then sell them at a profit. F ootball is coming back. Watford get a good fee, the player gets his move and the system kicks into life again. It's the finest moment I've had in football," said Duxbury. However, the way they were developed after that was completely different, as former Brighton Academy Manager John Morling tells TGG. It is when players dont leave, thats the issue.. . He has seen it at Udinese and he has seen it at Granada. This will be an extremely exciting campaign for the club . info@trainingground.guru, About Scott Duxbury, Watford FC chairman and chief executive, wrote an opinion piece in The Times of London whose headline lamented the "devastating effects" of a plan to play the season's final . One strategy is to use the loan market to their advantage. Watfords scouts are instructed to get to know a players agents, even his parents, to better understand their desires in advance of any transfer. Until a remarkable climb up the league in the late 1970s, they had spent most of their history in English footballs lower divisions. While the club has sought to extend invites to a broad church of the supporter base, everyone can have a voice whether representing a group or individually by contacting the Supporter Liaison Team via supporters@watfordfc.com. Moving on? Captain Troy Deeney said he does not know if he has, Epic new drama sees witches fighting terror. Its not a joke. To what end? Read about our approach to external linking. Ultimately, the Premier League is where Duxbury and the rest of the Watford's hierarchy believe the club ought to be. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. But what if Watford simply underpay their players relative to their true worth? That is why he chose Watford. Foreign imports, says Giraldi, offer better value for money: If you want to be economically efficient, [buy players in] South America. No teams ever been relegated with 11 wins, says Duxbury. A fresh take on sports: the biggest news and most entertaining lists. "The Pozzos are here for the long term and they just don't fail. In Pozzos six years of ownership, the club have hired nine head coaches. Editor's . Watford can now afford the price tags attached to better-known players. We loan him out. 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. Improvements and developments must and will be made. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's 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. Simple in theory. Id take it as a point of failure, says Duxbury. Assessing the quality of developed players is every bit as difficult. Players often move between the teams. This account already exists. Abu Dhabi-controlled City Football Group, which ownsManchester City, also has sides in the US and Australia, while energy drinks manufacturerRed Bull owns teams in Austria and Germany. I promise you everyone is doing everything in their power to rectify this now and for the rest of the season. A few weeks ago, SirElton John, international pop star, sent a message to Scott Duxbury, chief executive of Watford football club. We have to accept a different challenge.". It was an excellent mix across the wide demographic of Watfords fanbase and allowed for some very robust and open conversation about the clubs current circumstances, the challenges we have had to face on its behalf in the recent years (in particular during the Covid pandemic and relegation) and what the short-term and longer-term future might look like. Manchester United, the richest club in the world, employ 50 full-time scouts globally. Duxbury responded Sir Elton texts most days and always gets a reply but politely declined the advice. Watford FC Chairman & CEO Scott Duxbury shares his thoughts ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Burnley. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. It is most certainly not a closed shop or invite only. Duxbury recalls: I said to Filippo, Is he any good? [Giraldi] went, Yes, hes phenomenal, Scott, but its got to be a joke, how on earth can we do this?, I phone West Ham. However, he was also sacked with just two matches remaining, with under-23s boss Hayden Mullins put in charge, but back-to-back defeats condemned the Hornets to the Championship next season. of belonging, and its wish to inspire those in the local community. The decision over Pearson has been an emotional, impulsive decision. Late last week, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting a small group of fans to begin a longer-term and wide-ranging process of discussions under the banner of a newly-constituted Fans Committee. "There will be lessons learned and changes made but, from today, we move forward. Get involved in exciting, inspiring conversations with other readers. A Gannett Company. About. Duxbury said: It is exactly the model the Pozzos were looking for. If you didnt have that speed of decision-making, he wouldnt be here now.. Not any more. They feel it in their bones, he says in a recent YouTube video series on the art of scouting. Last updated on 27 July 202027 July 2020.From the section Watford. Coaches, they have a limited shelf life, says Duxbury. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. For now, at least, Watfords player trading strategy is working. We always watch with our eyes first, he says. And when I say cheap, in terms of transfer fee, it can be similar, but in terms of salary, [there is] a massive difference. Joined the club as an intern in October 2015. To Watford Fans: From Gino Pozzo & Scott Duxbury. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. We are all focused on putting this right. . . Scott Duxbury - Manager profile | Transfermarkt Scott Duxbury Watford President Championship Appointed: Nov 2, 2016 imago images + Date of birth/Age: Mar 1, 1972 (50) Citizenship: England Profile History Stats Personal Record Manager career Players used Honours News Personal Details Stats No information available. Their regular defence this season, for example, cost around 6million, with Kiko Femenia, Craig Cathcart and Adrian Mariappa all signed for free. And only just. Udinese, a small-town club in the north-east of the country, play in Serie A, Italys top division. Knows Watford owners the Pozzos from his three-year spell as Sporting Director of their other club, Udinese. 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. Being a small club has advantages. 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. We try to have independence between [Udinese and Watford], says Giraldi. Suggested targets are whittled down to two or three and presented to Duxbury, Giraldi and Pozzo, who are based at the clubs training ground. Now Arsenal and Manchester United are looking to copy the model. Our Supporter Liaison team contacted a number of different supporter groups, and they were joined by a mix of those that broadcast and write about club goings-on; including podcasters, bloggers, fanzine editors and YouTubers. Scott Duxbury Nationality: English Qualified as a lawyer and worked in that capacity for West Ham before becoming their chief executive. Played professionally in Germany before moving into coaching and scouting. The likelihood is that any team that are consistently among the lowest spending in the division will eventually have a bad season. Hopefully it won't be delayed & we can come back to business soon!Thank you so far for the trust & preference, especially those who became premium members! Over the course of a decade, he held trials for five million children across Africa, Latin America and south-east Asia. Simply put, staying in the Premier League is valuable. Everybody wins. It was how they were able to persuade Gerard Deulofeu to sign from Barcelona and Nathaniel Chalobah from Chelsea, while Domingos Quina turned up at the training ground on deadline day in the summer when West Ham said he could go because he knew Watford would give him a chance.