Promotion-chasing Notts County have announced the appointment of Roberto Gagliardi as their new head of football – a key backroom addition made just days before their final match of the season.
The Italian arrives with extensive experience across European football, having served in various senior roles at Portsmouth and Turkish club Goztepe. His new role will officially begin on 1 May, marking a fresh chapter in County’s football operations setup following the departure of Richard Montague in February.
Montague left Meadow Lane to take up a post at Championship side Swansea City, leaving a significant gap in the club’s off-field leadership. The appointment of Gagliardi appears to be the result of a thorough search, with County’s owners keen to find the right profile to support their ambitions both on and off the pitch.
Recruitment leadership the key focus
According to the club, Gagliardi will take charge of all player recruitment and act as the central figure in transfer negotiations, liaising with agents and other clubs. His resume includes key stints as head of European scouting and later head of football operations at Portsmouth, followed by a high-level recruitment and board position in Turkey.
“Following Richard Montague’s departure, we have taken some time to evaluate the club’s structure and identify the qualities that would be most valuable to us in his replacement. Roberto will lead on all aspects of our recruitment and negotiations with agents and clubs – areas he is highly skilled in thanks to the experience he’s gained and the notable people he’s learned from throughout his career.
“He has an excellent understanding of the game, both tactically and in terms of player recruitment, shares our way of thinking and comes highly recommended by people we trust.”
Gagliardi himself has acknowledged the timing of his arrival, stepping into the role as County prepare for what could be a season-defining match against Doncaster Rovers. But he is clear about the importance of laying foundations for the coming transfer window and beyond.
“I’ll be coming into the role at the busiest time of the year,” he said. “It’s a really important period for setting strong foundations for both the transfer window and the season ahead. In terms of attracting players, Notts County has many strong selling points.”
He added that the club’s heritage, fanbase and overall project remain attractive to players – even those with offers from higher divisions.
Currently fourth in the League Two standings, Notts County remain in the hunt for automatic promotion. The addition of a new head of football at such a decisive point adds an extra layer of intrigue as the club looks to return to League One.
Site opinion
It’s rare to see such a strategic backroom appointment so late in a campaign, but Notts County clearly see Gagliardi as a long-term asset. His pan-European experience and deep recruitment background could be vital if County secure promotion. Timing aside, this is a signal of intent – a club not just aiming to go up, but to stay up and build. The structure is evolving, and Gagliardi looks a strong piece of the puzzle.
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