Barcelona have appointed Daniele Placido as their new Head of Emerging Talents, the club confirmed. The 40-year-old Italian will be responsible for identifying and recruiting young players internationally, overseeing a scouting network across five continents. Placido joins the Catalan giants from Serie B side Modena, where he served as Head of International Scouting for the past two seasons.
This appointment signifies Barcelona’s continued commitment to developing young talent and investing in the future. The “Emerging Talents” program, which Placido will now lead, is a key pillar of the club’s sporting strategy, aiming to integrate promising players aged 15-20 into the club’s various levels – from the Under-19s to the reserve team, Barça Atlètic, and potentially the first team. Barcelona have previously employed Italian sporting directors Ariedo Braida and Andrea Mancini, making Placido the third Italian to hold a significant role within the club’s structure.
At Modena, Placido was instrumental in expanding the club’s international scouting operations and played a role in identifying talents such as Nieling and Massolin, the latter of whom was later purchased by Inter. Massolin’s transfer generated a significant transfer fee for Modena, considered the club’s largest ever profit from a player sale. Prior to his time at Modena, Placido spent time scouting for Bologna and later served as a senior scout at Roma.
During his tenure at Roma, Placido received a promotion initiated by then-sporting director Tiago Pinto, demonstrating his rising reputation within Italian football. He later took charge of Roma’s youth sector in the 2023/24 season, broadening his experience in youth player development. Initial contact between Barcelona and Placido began approximately two months ago, with negotiations accelerating in recent weeks before culminating in his appointment. This move represents a significant step forward in Placido’s career, placing him within one of the world’s most prestigious football clubs and entrusting him with a crucial role in shaping Barcelona’s future.
