Cristian Molinaro named Venezia FC first team technical director

Venezia FC are pleased to announce Cristian Molinaro as first team technical director.

Molinaro, 38, closes a long and distinguished playing career, having spent his final last two-and-a-half seasons in Venice, where he provided important leadership and a steady presence in defense.

In the 2020/21 season, Molinaro was a key figure in Venezia’s historic promotion to Serie A, making 16 appearances in the Serie B regular season and playing all 90 minutes of both legs of the semifinals against Lecce and both legs of the finals against Cittadella. He would make eight appearances in Venezia’s Serie A campaign last season.

Molinaro began his career with his hometown club Salernitana, and he would go on to make 240 Serie A appearances with Juventus, Parma, Torino, Frosinone, and Venezia plus 93 Bundesliga appearances with VfB Stuttgart.

The sporting staff will be completed by Morris Donati and Alex Menta.

Donati, 32, joined Venezia in 2021 as Head of Scouting, having previously worked at Empoli and Chievo Verona. He is currently enrolled in the Italian Football Federation’s course for licensing as a sporting director.

Menta, 31, joined Venezia 2020 as Director of Data and Analytics and continues in the same role.

Davide Brendolin has been named interim Sporting Director. Brendolin, 35, joined Venezia in 2007 and has served as General Secretary since 2011.

Venezia FC president Duncan Niederauer:

“As I mentioned when we introduced our new coach, we have made the decisions about who will lead the sporting side of our club. Change brings with it opportunity, and today’s announcement is consistent with that spirit. Our culture focuses on empowering young professionals and our decision making approach is and will continue to be one where we rely on a group of people with different perspectives to contribute. Today’s announcement is also consistent with these philosophies. I am confident in the abilities of the entire staff and their ability to work together to take Venezia FC forward.”