Crawley Town have appointed former Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mananone as player-coach
Crawley Town have appointed former Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mananone as player-coach. Mananone will lead the goalkeeping department and will be available for selection for the team if required. He will replace Chris Dixon; Manager Colin Kazim-Richards praised his experience.
Crawley Town have signed Vito Mananone in a major overhaul to their goalkeeping department. The 38-year-old Italian goalkeeper has been announced by the club as a player-coach — available for understanding, coaching performance and on-field selection if needed.
Mananone has appeared in around 130 matches in the Premier League and Championship during his professional career, playing his last senior match for French club Lille in May 2024. Before joining Crowby, he worked as a goalkeeper coach for Brighton and Hove Albion's academy.
Mananone's appointment replaces Chris Dixon, who left the club after two years of service last week. Club manager Colin Kazim-Richards hailed the signing of Mananone. In a statement to the club's website, he said Mananone's stature, professional experience and the quality of working with other coaches would be a good fit for their team. The manager said that Mananone's intensity and goalkeeping approach are looking at the opportunity to reach the cinema level.
The club believes Crowley's appointment will bring stability and experience to the goalkeeping department. The club stated that Mananone is available in his coaching role as well as being on the match sheet if needed.
