Arsenal 3-2 Watford: Hornets haven't been good enough this season - Deeney. "We came here eight years ago, we are now an established Premier League football club and that's where we belong.". How to get into football - the most popular sport in the world, with clubs and facilities throughout the UK. Was a teacher in Mlaga before moving into coaching and performance analysis in 2005. "Everything was against us. In the past, dictatorial managers such as Manchester Uniteds Sir Alex Ferguson or ArsenalsArsne Wenger, controlled most aspects of a clubs operations, including transfers. "That's been our biggest strength that, as a fan base, asan ownership, as a management, we're all together. Scott Ian DUXBURY. 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 . Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 9, 2020 Watford, who are 17th in the league and only above the relegation zone on goal difference, beat runway leaders Liverpool in a shock victory at their Vicarage Road ground in February -- a result Duxbury says was influenced by . Being a small club has advantages. 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. Get involved in exciting, inspiring conversations with other readers. Scouts have been used to identify players for decades. But with less money to spend, Watford seek a different calculation: buying undervalued players. analyse how our Sites are used. Everyone has been aware of that this week. cookies 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. About. Joined Watford in August 2022. Data profile of Scott Duxbury who is contracted to Watford. Watford's chairman and chief executive Scott Duxbury sits in The Gate pub in Chorleywood, five miles away from Vicarage Road. If you look at the balance sheet of Watford, what people would see as a negative in terms of certain incomes being low Gino sees as a positive, because he believes with the clubs fan base, Watford can grow. A Gannett Company. Simply put, staying in the Premier League is valuable. (He rarely gives interviews and declined to speak to the FT.) Pozzo, 52, is the mastermind behind Watfords trading strategies. The Watford Observer caught up with the Hornets new chief executive this week to discuss how he arrived at Vicarage Road. Between Udinese and Watford, the family own about 80 senior players, each representing a potential blockbuster transfer. We believed in the players, we believed in the vision and then people came with us.". There is an assumption the head coach just sits there as players come and go like diners at a buffet. Editor's . "There will be lessons learned and changes made but, from today, we move forward. No teams ever been relegated with 11 wins, says Duxbury. Advertise with us The Watford way is to buy cheaper, little-known players, then sell them at a profit. So it's grea thatwe've had a fantastic season in the Championship, it's great that we've won so manyconsecutive games and were fantastic, but we're a Premier League football club. It never stops, says Duxbury. Watford chief executive Scott Duxbury reveals that the Hornets will sign more new players during the January transfer window. Watford often acquire players who do not satisfy these immigration rules but loan them to Udinese or other teams to build the experience needed to gain a work permit. Elon Musks Twitter is dying a slow and tedious death, Who to fire? We stopped for a year and we were relegated. No matter that the team had recently made a great start to the season, winning their first four games. Research interests: Crime and deviance; social control and conflict; computational and mathematical sociology; relational sociology . To receive exclusive content every month and other great benefits sign up to our monthly eNewsletter. 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. 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. Role: Chairperson. Thats the emotion, laughs Duxbury as he recounts the story to me. Talk of buying Watford began around six months ago and negotiations started in March. We dont want that disruption when a coach leaves a football club., Those who take the seat in Watfords dugout understand their task is to work with the players they are given. They have bought Watford solely so it can become an established Premier League club. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |. Duxbury has spent most of his adult life involved in football after qualifying as a lawyer. In his award-winning 2013 bookThe Nowhere Men, football writer Michael Calvin followed the lives of English talent spotters. The question ishow? ARGENTINA star Lionel Messi has said futsal really helped me become who I am today and River Plate are typical of pro clubs in the country in having a futsal division. The asking price for their preferred target went to a level we werent comfortable with. The decision over Pearson has been an emotional, impulsive decision. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. Yet a better way to understand how the club play the transfer market is to look at their wage bill the fifth lowest in the division. 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. Sign up for exclusive newsletters, comment on stories, enter competitions and attend events. 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. . We have to accept a different challenge.". Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. Too often, if the football isnt successful, then the whole club is written off as being on the wrong path. "So for us to be able to deal with that and get theteam spirit to come back, was remarkable.". Captain Troy Deeney said he does not know if he has played his last game for the club. Read about our approach to external linking. The rapid turnover appears to cause little disruption. The noise weve heard at Vicarage Road in recent times has been relentless. WHEN Ansoumane Konde's dreams of becoming a pro ended, he found he had nothing to showcase his unique experiences in the game. Editors' Code of Practice. Love, Elton.. The plan now is to establish the Hornets in the top flight once again and grow from there. The enshittification of apps is real. Picture: Holly Cant. The close relationships with the local community in all its forms and the investment in club infrastructure will continue with purpose and enthusiasm. Yet, Watford are the most active at searching for and trading talent. In acknowledging the continuing uncertainties around households financial commitments, we believe to provide a discount of at least seven per cent shows our recognition of loyal support across this and many previous seasons. Joined the club as an intern in October 2015. To see staff profiles for other clubs, click here. 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. A handful were selected for training at Aspires state-of-the-art facilities. 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 me personally, its more trying to improve as a player by getting the experience that I need to get and hopefully go on to bigger things. Chalobah was recently called up by the England national team. "There were other clubs they spoke to but none really had the history of Watford and quite frankly the potential. Watford have been criticised for their propensity to fire managers. If a diamond is found in the dust, scouts take credit for the discovery. The calendar adjusts to your time zone and will automatically update throughout the season, so you'll never miss a match! "We are a Premier League football club now. 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. I never fall in love with a player, adds Giraldi. Brother of the Head Coach and also arrived at the club in December 2020, having previously spent a season with Valencia in La Liga. The club simply changed tack. 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. 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. Creative midfielder for Hajduk Split, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Austria Salzburg during an 18-year playing career. Vicarage Roads 21,000 capacity is little more than a quarter ofManchester Uniteds Old Trafford. 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. A larger scouting network is able to cover more ground. Scott Duxbury in 2021. Watford FC Chairman & CEO Scott Duxbury shares his thoughts ahead of this afternoon's Premier League clash with Leeds United. 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. Scott Duxbury sets out #watfordfc's position on Project Restart. 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. One of their former coaches, Manuel Sanchez, tells us why the sport is part of the football fabric there. Worked for Newcastle for five years before a four-month stint at Everton in 2021/22. Picture: Youtube/WatfordFC. On Monday, Pozzo and Duxbury added: "Every club wants to be playing at the highest possible level. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. They are footballs last romantics. Having sold Granada two years ago, the Pozzos are considering the purchase of a lower-league Spanish club to build their network once again. Duxbury said: It is exactly the model the Pozzos were looking for. Omar Chaudhuri, an executive at 21st Club, a football consultancy, says the best way to judge whether a transfer is a success is the amount of time a new signing actually appears on the pitch. This is not merely an English phenomenon. NORWICH CITY Sporting Director Stuart Webber admits his long-term future may not be in football after revealing the abuse he has experienced from some sections of the clubs fanbase in the last year. Even so, the Watford way is not to be tampered with. Following the takeover, Watford signed 10 players on loan from Udinese to boost the team. Increasingly, however, emerging English prospects, who can potentially earn higher salaries elsewhere, are also seeing the benefit. But Watford largely eschew such methods, Giraldi says. Beneath them is best described as a scouting board, with eight or nine individuals based around 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. It is unfashionable and it is small. It must be on Watford's terms, too, as they showed when they held out until Everton paid . A row of small buildings contains offices, a canteen, a gym and changing facilities, with windows that look out on to a handful of carefully manicured pitches and the Hertfordshire hills in the distance. 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. Joined in August 2020 from Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia, where he had worked since February 2019. Get involved in exciting, inspiring conversations. 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. At clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester City, the idea is that recruitment is carried out by an executive team that remain in place even if the manager who picks the team changes. We have to do something different. Role Active Director Appointed on 12 July 2012 . Scott Duxbury speaking after Watford were promoted to the Premier League. 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. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. Wed be delighted to learn of your interest. By James Walters. The likelihood is that any team that are consistently among the lowest spending in the division will eventually have a bad season. A fresh take on sports: the biggest news and most entertaining lists. Scott Duxbury, Watford FC Chairman, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Stake as our principal shirt sponsor ahead of the 2021/2022 season. Subscribe toFT Life on YouTube for the latest FT Weekend videos. In 1986, his father Giampaolo bought Italian club Udinese with money from the familys toolmaking company. They are not putting a time frame on that, but I am extremely confident it is just a matter of when, and not if. Duxbury calls them absolute nonsense. A couple of seasons later he was a battle-hardened attacker ready to play in Italy. WATFORD ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED(THE) (00104194) Company status Active Correspondence address Vicarage Road Stadium, Vicarage Road, Watford Hertfordshire, WD18 0ER. Its not a joke. Only then can they benefit from a share of the Premier Leagues broadcasting contracts, worth a combined 8bn. Javier Gracia and Quique Sanchez Flores were both dismissed after they managed one Premier League win in 14 matches between them. 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. Coaches, they have a limited shelf life, says Duxbury. Somewhere, there is a better player than [the one] you are chasing. 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! 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. Was U23 physio for a year before becoming Head of Medical at Peterborough in June 2018. 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. Goalkeeper Ben Foster cost 3.5m and Jose Holebas 2.5m. Since 2015, the clubs annual revenues have grown by more than 100m. That role only lasted five months, before Simm returned to Watford as first-team physio in October 2018. In the three seasons since promotion, Watford have secured 12 victories on one occasion and 11 wins in the other two. Well send you a myFT Daily Digest email rounding up the latest Life & Arts news every morning. 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. He worked with former Manchester United director Maurice Watkins at James Chapman and Co and was seconded to the Red Devils. Also arrived with Muoz in December 2020, having worked with him at Dinamo Tbilisi. Scott Duxbury sat down with the Watford Observer's Frank Smith this week. History Place small sums into lots of high-risk ventures. 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. The club have 100 potential contracts already drawn up should the opportunity to sign a targeted player arise. Other organisations maintain a similar constellation of clubs. To create a team to take on local giants such as AC Milan and Juventus, they deployed scouts far and wide. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Id still buy him. Scott Duxbury, Watford chief executive. Duxbury has spent most of his adult life involved in football after qualifying as a lawyer. They employ scouts who watch players before the board convene every three months or so to be updated. 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. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to Academic research suggests the best predictor of a teams league placing is its wage bill. 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. PROFESSOR David Sumpter says Ajax are like a 'University of football' and are building an understanding of the game from the foundations up. We had the worldwide pandemic, we had no fans here. Duxbury returned to England to head up a sports practice and it was then that he met Gino Pozzo. OUR Scouting and Recruitment Webinar is back for a second edition and will once again provide industry insights from leading experts in the game. The CEO said that will only be achieved if all at Watford, fans, players and staff,aretogether. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? Two-thirds of those awarded a professional contract at the age of 18 abandon the sport by 21. Its why weve begun frank and open discussions with supporters and will continue to meet once the season is finished and beyond. "Watford don't have managers, the owner totally runs the club.". It must be on Watfords terms, too, as they showed when they held out until Everton paid 40m for Richarlison. Without being crude, in the morning when Im getting ready for the day ahead and Im maybe havingmy toilet break, Im texting Filippo, saying, Have you heard about this player?. HP10 9TY. However, in reality the head coach is naturally involved in discussions but the key is he is one cog of the mechanism not the entire engine. They just want to do a deal because they know theyre going to lose him in January, [so] we have a guy in a car park with 10 minutes to go before the window closes., Duxbury spoke to Pozzo, who instantly gave the green light. Pen pics of Watford's coaching, science, medicine and analytics staff. A Gannett Company. He worked with former Manchester United director Maurice Watkins at James Chapman and Co and was seconded to the Red Devils. Sociology graduate student at the Ohio State University. A subsequent EFL inquiry found that the owner was unaware of the document and the club had not gained a competitive advantage. Players often move between the teams. It is lunchtime. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. That is what we are all working towards.. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's personalising content and ads, providing social media features and to But for a club with Watfords limited resources survival is the primary objective (the bottom three teams each season are relegated). Joined from Opta Pro, where he was Head of Football, in August 2020. One strategy is to use the loan market to their advantage. Data profile of Scott Duxbury who is contracted to Watford. They leave the management to myself, Gian Luca and Gianfranco, but we know they are always there if we need help and support.. "I genuinely believed we would do it [get promoted]but for it to actually arrive and the manner in which we did it with the stress, a 1-0. Editors' Code of Practice. Yet, there is scant evidence that even the best scouts can guarantee sure-fire hits. Has a strong background in analysis as well as coaching. He aspires to scale greater heights, of course. Watford can now afford the price tags attached to better-known players. Most, however, are obsessive freelancers who travel thousands of miles a season, are paid little more than 40 pence a mile for petrol, and are sustained by a diet of bacon sandwiches. The Pozzos may be the family with their name above the door but it will be former West Ham United duo Scott Duxbury and Gian Luca Nani who will be running the club on a daily basis. contact the editor here. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies.