EXCLUSIVE: FRANCO BALDINI SAID NO TO FABIO CAPELLO

ABOVE: Franco Baldini honoured his commitment to Spurs and rejected Fabio Capello’s call

Even though I had not signed anything, I wanted to respect what we had in place

Franco Baldini

20th June 2013

By David Woods and Adrian

FRANCO BALDINI turned down a late chance to be reunited with Fabio Capello to take the job as Tottenham’s technical director.

Former England boss Capello, currently coaching Russia, is set to be appointed new boss of Paris St-Germain.

But Baldini, 52, who had been in talks with Spurs for around a month, stayed loyal to White Hart Lane boss Andre Villas-Boas, who was desperate to land the Italian.

Baldini was No.2 to Capello during his four-year spell as England chief. Yesterday Baldini, who quit his job at Roma recently, was confirmed in his new role at Spurs.

“Even though I had not signed anything, I wanted to respect what we had in place,” said Baldini when asked whether he might have been tempted to work with Capello again.

Baldini, who tried to tempt Villas-Boas to Roma in 2011 before he became Chelsea boss, will take charge of Spurs’ scouting and recruitment.

Villas-Boas is used to working in the European-style structure, having done so at Porto.

Chairman Daniel Levy is a big fan of the technical director-head coach model.

He previously employed Frank Arnesen and Damien Comolli in the role at Spurs.

Baldini said: “I am going to work with Tim Sherwood and matters relating to the youth academy and, of course, I am going to work closely with Andre to try to build the best team that we can.”

Villas-Boas previously said: “It’s something I am used to working with. I told the club that it’s somebody who is ­extremely important in my view of the structures of the club.”

Levy said: “Franco is extremely well respected in the industry, possessing an extensive knowledge of players around the world.
“He will strengthen our football management team, ­particularly in the field of ­recruitment, working closely with Andre and Tim across all levels on the playing side.”
Baldini’s arrival is Spurs’ first significant addition of the summer and likely to spark transfer activity.
Villas-Boas is desperate to increase his firepower and has Valencia’s Roberto Soldado and Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke among his targets.
Brazilian midfielders Paul­inho and Bernard plus Wigan star James ­McCarthy are also on Villas-Boas’ wish list.