Caio Zanardi Appointed General Manager Of Strikers

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers announced Tuesday that Caio Zanardi has been appointed the team’s general manager.

Zanardi, who will oversee all soccer operations and the club’s youth academy program, replaces Amaury Nunes.

“As I’ve said often, we have a talented team and have expectations of competing for a playoff spot,” Strikers managing partner Ricardo Geromel said. “Caio has experience running all facets of the technical side of a soccer club. His hire represents the beginning of a new era, and his expertise will pay dividends on the pitch and help us reach our full potential.”

The team also announced Ricardo Lopes will return to the Strikers’ bench. He will serve as goalkeeper coach under recently hired head coach Günter Kronsteiner. Lopes was a member of the Fort Lauderdale coaching staff from the team’s start in the NASL Modern Era in 2011 and was part of Kronsteiner’s squad that made the 2014 NASL Championship Final.

Zanardi comes to the Strikers after nearly three years working for Brazil’s national soccer federation (Confederação Brasileira de Futebol). Prior to his role at the highest level of Brazil’s soccer pyramid, Zanardi served six years as soccer director for Al-Nasr Sports Club, a top team in the United Arab Emirates.

“While I was happy in Brazil, I couldn’t turn down this opportunity,” Zanardi said. “I believe in where the Strikers are going and I want to be a part of it.”

Zanardi’s coaching credentials include an English FA International License, learning at the hands of renowned soccer coaches Fabio Capello, Sven-Göran Eriksson, Louis van Gaal, and Carlo Ancelotti. Zanardi’s résumé includes time with Palmeiras, Audax/Pão de Açucar - SP and Paulista de Jundiaí.

In March, he led the Brazil’s Under-17 national team to the South American Football Championship, gaining automatic qualification for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Zanardi coached the Brazilian Under-17 team to a 16-5-1 (W-D-L) record in 22 matches.

The Strikers open NASL Fall Season action Wednesday (July 8) at the Carolina Railhawks. They return to home action Saturday (July 11) when they host FC Edmonton at 7:30 p.m. ET at Lockhart Stadium.