Baresi accepts Fulham offer
Thursday, May 23, 2002
Article summary
Franco Baresi agreed to join Fulham FC as their director of football on Thursday.
Article body
Former Italy and Milan AC defender Franco Baresi has accepted an offer to join FA Premiership side Fulham FC next month as their director of football.
Range of duties
Baresi, who was a member of Italy's FIFA World Cup-winning squad in 1982 and won 81 caps for the Azzurri, will take on a wide range of duties at the London club including scouting, running the club's academy and developing the women's team, with manager Jean Tigana retaining responsibility for coaching and picking the first team.
'Nothing certain or official'
Baresi, currently vice-president of Milan, will join Fulham on 1 July for twelve months with the option of extending his deal if he and club chairman Mohammed Al Fayed are satisfied with each other's work. "I cannot believe that I am leaving AC Milan after so long," said Baresi. "Al Fayed's programme is serious and ambitious and has convinced me."
Glittering career
Baresi, now 42, spent 20 years at Milan from 1977-97. He played 470 Serie A matches for the club and won the European Champion Clubs' Cup three times, the UEFA Cup three times, the European/South American Cup twice and the Serie A title six times.
