Rio Ave has made a big move, bringing in Matteo Tognozzi as their new sports director. This Italian executive, only 38 years old, isn’t new to the European football scene. He spent two years, from 2023 to 2025, in the same role with Granada, a Spanish club. But his experience goes much deeper than that.
Tognozzi’s career boasts a list of impressive clubs. He has worked with big names like Zenit, Hamburg, Bayer Leverkusen, and even Italian giant Juventus. His journey through these teams shows a deep understanding of scouting and managing talent across different leagues. This kind of background suggests a wealth of connections and knowledge.
The club was quick to share their excitement. Rio Ave SAD, the club’s corporate entity, posted a statement on their official website. They clearly believe Tognozzi’s skills in finding new players and handling high-level sports management will greatly benefit Rio Ave. They said his experience adds real value to both the club’s plans and its entire structure. Everyone at the club is very happy to see Matteo starting his duties right away.