Francois Vitali, the sports director of Hajduk, has officially left the club, leaving behind a farewell letter that stirred a storm of emotions and questions. Vitali took over as director of football operations in September 2022 after Nikola Kalinić was dismissed, and brought a series of changes that, according to him, had not been seen in the last 20 years. But is his work truly recognized and appreciated?
In his farewell letter, Vitali highlighted how he discovered passion and love for the club, the city, and the fans. He spoke about the difficult financial situation he inherited and how he started selling players to stabilize the club. He also left a comprehensive four-year modernization plan that includes a new operational model, sports strategy, academy development, and cost control.
However, Vitali expressed disappointment that his project could not be fully implemented due to a lack of decisive decisions and time. The season was full of positive emotions but also disappointments, as the club failed to achieve what it hadn’t for years. Vitali emphasized the importance of continuity in strategy and trust in the coaching staff, hoping the new coach will succeed where he left off.
He is particularly proud of creating the U21 team and developing the academy, which he believes can become one of the best in Europe. He also stressed the importance of developing scouting, data analysis, sports science, and medicine, as well as managing costs to provide better conditions for players.
Vitali thanked everyone in the club, from management to restaurant staff, emphasizing that he always worked for the benefit of colleagues and the club, despite rumors and media campaigns that, he says, harmed the club. His philosophy was to think of others first, not himself.
In the end, Vitali called for continuing the path he started and expressed hope that the new team will carry on his work. “History is being written now,” he said, leaving open the question: will Hajduk finally recognize and appreciate the good things happening within the club?
Got thoughts on Vitali’s farewell or how Hajduk runs its football operations? Drop a comment and join the conversation — who knows, your take might just be the spark this club needs!
