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Simone Naddi departs Auckland City FC

Words: ACFC Media

Monday 5 October 2020

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - ISPS Handa Premiership champions Auckland City FC have parted company with goalkeeper coach Simone Naddi.

Naddi, the Navy Blues longest serving goalkeeper coach in the club's history, joined Auckland City FC in May 2013 when he replaced Grant Robertson in the role.

Chairman Ivan Vuksich said his departure was unavoidable with the men's first team moving a proportion of their training schedule to business hours which clashed with the Naddi's work commitments.

"It has been a very difficult process because Simone has done nothing wrong but we're hostage to circumstances.

"Simone is a much-loved figure at Auckland City FC and he fitted right in with how we do things at this club from the very beginning - he will always be welcome at Kiwitea Street.

"He's worked with the very best goalkeepers this club has had and been instrumental in nurturing a lot of the upcoming talent blossoming in our squad," Vuksich said.

Naddi's replacement as goalkeeper coach will be former first team stopper Enaut Zubikarai.

Zubikarai joined Auckland City FC in 2016 and is an integral figure in the club's Goalkeeper ACademy.

His selection as goalkeeper coach means he is available to provide back-up to Kiwi keepers Cameron Brown and Conor Tracey if required.

"There are restrictions on the number of players we can use from outside New Zealand and Enaut's move into a coaching role also fits with the great work he is doing with the club's ACademy.

"It also recognises the fact we have two young New Zealand goalkeepers in Cameron and Conor who are both vying for ongoing international recognition and we want to promote both these players as often as possible," Vuksich said.

The Italian-born Naddi worked with the club for eight years guiding players such as Tamati Williams, Jacob Spoonley, Enaut Zubikarai, Diego Rivas, Cameron Brown and Connor Tracey.

A fervent and commited Fiorentina fan, Naddi was also a instrumental in the most successful era in the club's history including the Navy Blues' run to the FIFA Club World Cup bronze medal in 2014.

During Naddi's tenure he won four ISPS Handa Premiership titles, seven ISPS Handa Premiership league titles, five OFC Champions League titles, the OFC President's Cup, four NZF Charity Cups and one Nike Lunar New Year Cup in 2017.

The Italian also worked for the club at five FIFA Club World Cups between 2013 and 2017.

Ends

Factfile
Name: Simone Naddi
Role: Goalkeeper coach
Joined: May 2013 to September 2020
Honours:
FIFA Club World Cup bronze medal 2014 (1)
FIFA Club World Cup appearances (5)
OFC Champions League 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 (5)
OFC President's Cup 2014 (1)
ISPS Handa Premiership 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020 (4)
ISPS Handa Premiership 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 (7)
NZF Charity Cup 2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2018-19 (4)
Nike Lunar New Year Cup 2017 (1)
OFC Golden Gloves - Enaut Zubikarai (2)
OFC Golden Gloves - Tamati Williams (1)