Genoa have turned to French experience as they look to steady an uneasy start to the season, appointing François Modesto as director of football on Sunday evening.
The 48-year-old former defender arrives three months after leaving Juventus, where he spent one season as technical director. At Genoa, Modesto will take charge of the club’s strategic planning and provide direction for its technical structure.
His appointment brings a varied executive background across Italy and England. After ending his playing career, Modesto worked at Nottingham Forest between 2019 and 2022, then held a technical leadership role at Monza from 2022 to 2024 before joining Juventus for the 2025-26 campaign.
Modesto is well known in French football from his years as a defender with Bastia, first in 1998-99 and later from 2013 to 2016, as well as his spell at Monaco between 2004 and 2010.
He joins Genoa at a delicate moment. Daniele De Rossi’s side sit 17th in Serie A with four points, although Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Fiorentina delivered their first win of the campaign and offered a timely lift before Modesto’s arrival.
