It’s a new year and a new direction for the Earthquakes. Roma executive Jesse Fioranelli has been hired as the General Manager of the Bay Area’s MLS club, ending an extended four-month search following the sacking of John Doyle. The club culled a pool of over two hundred applicants down to a reported six finalists, from whom Fioranelli was the mystery wildcard.
High profile candidates such as US Under-20 national team coach Tab Ramos, director of Mexican youth national teams Dennis te Kloese, and former Sunderland executive Lee Congerton were all overlooked in favor of the Italian-American executive.
Fioranelli brings an analytical, data-driven approach to San Jose, having spent three years with Lazio as an analyst prior to joining the Sporting Direction unit at Roma in the summer of 2015. He also has more than six years of experience as an agent, having represented a broad list of clients throughout Europe and Latin America.
“We are excited to welcome Jesse to the Quakes family,” said Earthquakes President Dave Kaval. “He has a tremendous, well-rounded resume that immediately impressed us and we believe the team’s technical side is in excellent hands moving forward. The search to find a general manager proved to be lengthy, but we’re happy that the thorough process has led us to a candidate of Jesse’s quality.”
Fioranelli will be challenged with revitalizing the club’s backroom staff alongside head coach Dominic Kinnear and technical director Chris Leitch, who was kept on after serving as interim GM since August. The club have not made the playoffs in the last four seasons, a disappointing record that has placed mounting pressure on club management to enact meaningful changes.
“I am honored to be part of the Quakes family and to open this exciting chapter in my life,” said Fioranelli. “From the moment I met Dave and ownership, I felt a strong connection with the Quakes organization, its people and the exciting opportunities we will strive for in the future together. I also spoke with Chris (Leitch) and Dominic (Kinnear) and I am looking forward to working with both of them. We’re committed to bringing a brand of football from the first team through the youth sector that the community can be proud of.”
Fioranelli speaks English, German, Italian, Spanish, and French, and will be unveiled at a press conference at Avaya Stadium at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 10. Alongside press, club season ticket holders are also invited to welcome Fioranelli to San Jose.
