Watford are in talks with Cristiano Giaretta about becoming the club’s new sporting director as they prepare for life in the Championship.
Giaretta comes with a good reputation and is credited with being the man who discovered now Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes.
Back in 2012, Giaretta was working for then Serie B side Novara Calcio as their sporting director and he signed a 17-year-old Fernandes for €40,000 (£36,000) after watching him play for Boavista’s youth team.
It is understood Giaretta is now in talks with Watford about becoming their sporting director and he has worked with the club’s owner, Gino Pozzo, before.
The 52-year-old spent three years working at Udinese, which Pozzo also owns, before enjoying stints at Ascoli and CSKA Sofia.
Watford’s current sporting director is Eric Roy, who joined in December, and Giaretta’s arrival would create doubts around his future unless he can be found a new role.
The Hornets are currently reviewing this season’s performance, which saw them relegated from the Premier League, and restructuring ahead of life in the Championship.
The club remain on the hunt for a new head coach and talks over candidates for the role are continuing this week.
Former Brighton and Newcastle boss Chris Hughton is believed to be interested in the role, but it is uncertain whether Watford would turn to him after holding talks with him before appointing Nigel Pearson back in December.
