English Style of Football Play Intrigued Gino Pozzo

Gino Pozzo was steeped in the art of the game from the time he was a child. That game is European football, what Americans call soccer. Born and raised in Italy to a family that was immersed in the world’s most popular sport, Gino’s father was the owner of the iconic Udinese Calico Football Club.

Pozzo would grow to manhood, travel to the United States to earn a master’s degree from Harvard University, and then resettle in Spain. In Barcelona, he continued where he left off by getting deeply involved in the Spanish football scene. Gino Pozzo’s family would buy Granada FC and he would manage it as head of the front office.

When Gino Pozzo looked to England, he was fascinated by the difference in the way the British approached the game as compared to Spaniards or Italians.

In the latter case, fans and coaches contend that a commitment to keeping possession of the ball and “the combination game” was the central philosophy of play among the top-tier teams. But in the U.K., the powerful clubs seek to direct play and control the intensity of confrontational tactics.

Thus, when Gino Pozzo saw an opportunity to extend his family holdings in the game, he moved decisively and made an offer for Watford FC. The transaction was soon complete and Pozzo had a new team to manage.

With the purchase of Watford, the Pozzo family became the first to own teams in Spain, Italy and England concurrently. Better yet, the brilliant logistical and tactical mind of Gino Pozzo transformed from a faltering, deeply indebted club into a winning organization underpinned by better front-office financial management.

Pozzo is credited with retooling Watford FC, lifting it to major league play, reinvigorating fan participation and the appreciation of their homegrown football club. See this page on CrunchBase, for additional information.

Learn more about Pozzo on https://www.apnnews.com/watford-football-club-owner-gino-pozzo-aims-to-grow-club/

Gino Pozzo was steeped in the art of the game from the time he was a child. That game is European football, what Americans call soccer. Born and raised in Italy to a family that was immersed in the world’s most popular sport, Gino’s father was the owner of the iconic Udinese Calico Football Club.…

Gino Pozzo was steeped in the art of the game from the time he was a child. That game is European football, what Americans call soccer. Born and raised in Italy to a family that was immersed in the world’s most popular sport, Gino’s father was the owner of the iconic Udinese Calico Football Club.…