Nottingham Forest sack sporting director Filippo Giraldi just six months into the role… after the Italian oversaw the relegation-threatened club’s failed January transfer window
- Filippo Giraldi was appointed in October as part of a recruitment shake-up
- The Italian oversaw the signings of seven new players in the January window
- Nottingham Forest’s form has declined since, with the club in the bottom three
Nottingham Forest have dramatically axed sporting director Filippo Giraldi with the club battling relegation.
The Italian was appointed only six months ago, shortly before recruitment duo George Syrianos and Andy Scott were dismissed, and his departure leaves embattled manager Steve Cooper with one fewer ally behind the scenes.
Cooper and Giraldi had forged a solid working relationship since the latter’s arrival, but the January transfer window – which Giraldi oversaw – has not delivered the expected results for Forest.
Chris Wood was signed from Newcastle on a contract worth about £100,000 a week but is now out for the season with a thigh injury, while Jonjo Shelvey – another on a hefty salary – has struggled since moving from St James’ Park.
Brazilian pair Gustavo Scarpa and Danilo are still adapting to English football and though defender Felipe and on-loan goalkeeper Keylor Navas have performed competently, Forest’s form has declined since the window closed.
Nottingham Forest have sacked sporting director Filippo Giraldi after just six months in the job
Jonjo Shelvey has struggled since joining the club as one of their seven January signings
Nottingham Forest are in the Premier League bottom three after nine games without a victory
They have not won since beating Leeds 1-0 on February 5 – a sequence of nine games without a victory.
That has left them in the bottom three ahead of a tough run of fixtures, beginning with Manchester United at the City Ground on Sunday.
A short statement from Forest, which confirmed Giraldi’s departure, said: ‘Nottingham Forest’s Sporting Director, Filippo Giraldi, has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.
‘He leaves the Club amicably with our best wishes.
‘Filippo would like to place on record his thanks to the Club and wishes Nottingham Forest best of…