André Zanotta

Technical Director

Zanotta was named Technical Director on Jan. 30, 2019.

Zanotta, 39, was previously executive director of Brazilian first-division team Grêmio where he was part of the club’s success in the 2017 Copa Libertadores, 2018 Recopa Sudamericana and 2018 Campeonato Gaúcho. The club also reached the final of the FIFA Club World Cup in 2017. Prior to his work at Grêmio, Zanotta was sporting director of Santos FC where he was instrumental in the sale of Brazilian superstar Neymar from Santos to FC Barcelona in 2013.

At Grêmio, Zanotta oversaw the planning and execution of many of the club’s technical operations including player acquisitions, hiring, as well as contract negotiations and renewals. Aside from the club’s day-to-day operations, Zanotta endeavored to create a positive atmosphere by aligning the players and management with the club’s executive and technical commission. He also served as the club’s official representative in meetings with the South American Football Federation (CONMEBOL), soccer’s governing body for the continent.

Zanotta served as sporting director for Santos FC from 2012 to 2015 before transitioning into an executive director position at Sport Recife. A trained lawyer, Zanotta’s connection to the sports industry emerged when he began working on player training contracts for the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) and other Brazilian soccer clubs. To further his career in soccer, Zanotta enrolled in the prestigious FIFA Master program, receiving an MBA in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport in 2010.

In addition to his native Portuguese, Zanotta is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian. In 1997, he spent a semester at Northwest High School in Justin, Texas as an exchange student.