CONNECTIONS
Part 10: Roberto Landi, by Andrew Boyd


 

It is an ironic twist which means that we return to Union Saint-Gilloise for the most recent connections. Just over a week ago U.S.G. hired the services of former Livingston manager Roberto Landi (and his assistant Valter Berlini). Landi will bring a world of experience to Union having played,as a goalkeeper, in his native Italy, the United States of America and South Africa. He has also been a manager in Italy, Rumania, Hungary and Scotland as well as coaching/managing with the national teams of Georgia (under-21), Lithuania and Qatar (under-21).

Roberto Landi was born in Forli-Cesena on 2nd January 1956. A youth team goalkeeper with Bologna and Piacenza where he progressed to playing in the first team (in Serie C1). He move to Modena as back-up goalkeeper before spells at Ravenna and Siena.

In 1979 Landi decided to move to the North American Soccer League joining the Vancouver Whitecaps. His next move was to Chicago Sting before joining Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa. His next move saw him return to America, in 1983, joining the New York Cosmos. His career then seems to take a major slump with Landi returning to Italy where he played for, mainly, amateur teams. Landi retired from playing in 1986 at the age of 30.
The next part of his career seems a little strange as he was goalkeeping coach of  the USA national side during the 1990 World Cup tournament. Following this he became head coach of Italian amateur side Marignano. Following 3 years with no football involvement (that I can find), Landi then appears as manager of the Georgia under-21 squad between 1998 and 2000. He then follows this by becoming a consultant with the Lithuania national team in 2001. During the 2002-03 Landi is part of the FC Peloro Messina management team. Between January and September 2005 Landi was in charge of Romanian side National Bucharest, who recorded 17 wins in a row. After leaving National, for personal reasons, Landi then becomes head coach of the Qatar under-20 squad, helping them to qualify for the 2006 Asian Games and the 2008 Olympics. This is followed by managing Hungarian side FC Sopron, from November 2006 to July 2007. During the 2007-08 season Landi earns his UEFA "A" Pro License at Coverciano, the Italian Football Federation technical centre in Florence. After being linked with English sides Port Vale and Fulham, in October 2007, Landi becomes Livingston manager in June 2008.  

 

On June 11th 2008 Landi and his assistant Valter Berlini joined Scottish First Division side Livingston. The competitive season started on 26th July with Livingston beating Stranraer 4-0 in the1st round of the Alba Challenge Cup. By the end of August Livingston had reached the quarter-finals of the Alba Challenge Cup and the 3rd round of the Co-Operative Insurance Cup. Landi had also been named Irn-Bru First Division Manager of the month. This was to prove his highlight. During September Livingston fell out of both Cup competitions to Partick Thistle (Alba Challenge Cup) and Celtic (Co-Operative Cup). October began with Queen Of The South destroying Livingston 6-1, and suddenly the long-term future for Landi did not seem so bright. His last game in charge of Livingston was his only Homecoming Scottish Cup tie, against East Stirlingshire on 29th November. 
East Stirling had been beaten earlier in the season in the Co-Operative Cup (2-1 after extra time), but this time the score was reversed and Landi was out of work by 1st December. His record shows that Livingston played 22 games (15 league, 7 cup) and won 11, lost 10 and 1 draw.
On 17th June 2009 Roberto Landi, and Valter Berlini, joined R. Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium on a 1 year contract.
 
* Valter Berlini was born in Rimini on 1st February 1955. No career details available.
 
* I have searched NASL websites and can find no mention of Landi having played, League or Cup matches, for any of the clubs listed. He may have played in, unrecorded, friendly matches.