February 22, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – FC Dallas News Release
FRISCO, Texas – FC Dallas announced today several updates to the club’s technical staff ahead of the 2024 Major League Soccer season. André Zanotta has signed a new multi-year deal and was named FC Dallas’ new Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director. FC Dallas named Sandro Orlandelli as its new Technical Director and re-signed Director of Scouting Leonardo Baldo to a new multi-year contract.
Zanotta’s promotion follows a historic offseason during which FC Dallas shattered its club transfer fee with the acquisition of Petar Musa from S.L Benfica, alongside spearheading FC Dallas’ talent development partnership with the historic Portuguese team.
“We are excited for André Zanotta to be the Chief Soccer Officer of FC Dallas,” FC Dallas President Dan Hunt said. “Soccer has such a global footprint, as the game evolves over time, so does the business side of the game. As Chief Soccer Officer, Zanotta will be in charge of all things related to the soccer business. The role of technical director has changed in the global game, we see it happening in MLS. The transition to Chief Soccer Officer gives André the credit that he deserves because he does an outstanding job running our entire soccer business from top to bottom here at FC Dallas.”
During Zanotta’s tenure, he has overseen the record-breaking transfer of Ricardo Pepi to German club FC Augsburg, wonderkid Alan Velasco’s transfer from Independiente of Argentina and has played an integral role in building the first-team roster, managing the salary cap and recruiting on-field, coaching and support staff talent to the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Sandro Orlandelli assumes the role of Technical Director after Zanotta’s promotion. Orlandelli brings a wealth of experience, having served as Sport Club Internacional’s Technical Coordinator. Following Red Bull Bragantino’s takeover by Red Bull GmbH, Orlandelli was named the first-ever Technical Coordinator at Red Bull Bragantino. Orlandelli oversaw Natan Bernardo de Souza’s transfer from Flamengo for $3.7 million. Natan was later sold to SSC Napoli of Serie A for $10.8 million. Orlandelli also oversaw the club’s largest sale of Claudinho to Zenit St. Petersburg for $12.9 million.
“We’re excited to bring Orlandelli to FC Dallas as the Technical Director,” Hunt said. “Orlandelli’s volume of work is very substantial, working for great clubs around the world like Arsenal. He’s had a lot of success…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at OurSports Central Outdoor Soccer News…