I don't fear Nani state, says happy Curbishley

Jose Mourinho and Martin Jol were both sacked after such internal power struggles and they are not alone.

The continental two-tier system has a distinctly dubious success rate in England but on Monday Curbishley declared his support for the appointment of West Ham's new technical director, Gianluca Nani, and expects more clubs to follow suit.

In theory, the structure will free the manager to focus on team issues, with the director of football — or technical or sporting director — shouldering responsibilities for player recruitment and longer-term development.

Curbishley was honest enough to accept the Hammers must broaden their knowledge and expects Nani to help, after building a reputation over nine years by bringing players through humble Italian club Brescia and turning in a healthy profit in the process.

'There's a void at the club,' said Curbishley. 'At the moment we're limited in our choices. We need this appointment in terms of the knowledge and networking Gianluca can bring. I need to have my eyes opened up if there's someone here or someone there.

'We've seen players go into clubs and leave everyone else scratching their heads, wondering how that's happened. Arsenal have been very successful at that in recent years.'

Transfer spending is another key point. West Ham spent a fortune on transfer fees and lucrative contracts for players hastily identified by Curbishley's network of scouts and sanctioned by Eggert Magnusson while they battled to avoid relegation last year.

Other clubs found cheaper and arguably better options, often abroad. In the post-Magnusson era, West Ham are looking to spend less.

Curbishley said: 'Football is global now and it's going to get more intense, either finding players for the first team or to bring through. We're not in a position to compete at the moment.

'I need more information. I want more than one or two options. We need that knowledge and I haven't got it. When you have more options, it can be less expensive.

'You can't get past first base with a lot of the foreign clubs because they want to talk to someone who is their equivalent. We have someone now who can make that call and talk.'

West Ham decided on the structural change in the autumn and Curbishley led the recruitment drive, insisting the only way it could work was to ensure a good chemistry between the manager and technical director.

A shortlist of six was identified. None of them was English but one was Franco Baldini, who ruled himself out when he accepted the job as Fabio Capello's assistant with England.

Nani, who played and managed at amateur level in Italy, became sporting director of Brescia in 1999 and took credit for luring Roberto Baggio to the club and keeping him there for four years. Others to emerge in his time have been Italy internationals Andrea Pirlo and Luca Toni.

Nani, 45, who speaks four languages, including English, said: 'I am here to try to build something at West Ham. I have no ambitions to be a manager. I am a technical director, not a manager. Alan is the manager, he has to decide, but he can ask me my opinion.'

'DIRECT CONTROL' ... DOES IT WORK?

NICKY HAMMOND

Reading

Ex-goalkeeper turned coach who became club's academy director. Named director of football in 2003. Success with Steve Coppell earmarked him as candidate for same job at Arsenal.

VERDICT: Yes

FRANK ARNESEN

Chelsea

Moved to Chelsea because he fell out with Martin Jol at Spurs, then couldn't get on with Jose Mourinho. Now said to want fellow Dutchman Frank Rijkaard to replace Avram Grant.

VERDICT: No

DAMIEN COMOLLI

Tottenham

Relationship with coach Martin Jol deteriorated to point where one had to go. Jol bit bullet and Comolli emerged unscathed. Interesting to see how he gets on with Juande Ramos.

VERDICT: No

DENNIS WISE

Newcastle

The man looking over Kevin Keegan's shoulder caused a drama of his own by going to the theatre instead of football on Saturday. Now will he turn the Toon into a pantomime?

VERDICT: The jury's still out