World Cup fever swept the nation and Focus HQ certainly wasn’t immune to it. Especially not when we get introduced to professional footballer turned financial adviser Daniel Nardiello.

After venturing through Manchester United’s famed youth teams during the late 1990s, via Wolves’ academy, he subsequently enjoyed spells at Barnsley, Queens Park Rangers, Blackpool, Rotherham and Exeter to name but a few. After his career as a professional footballer came to an end, Daniel pursued a career in financial advice: a move inspired by losing a large amount of money at a young age thanks to taking some dodgy advice. Daniel is now an adviser for Klipp Wealth Management Ltd, a Senior Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management.

Today, Daniel is proud to count many young footballers among his clients and says that helping them to think long-term about making the most of their wages motivates him every day.

Take the England World Cup squad for example: the youngest player, Trent Alexander-Arnold, is only 19 years old, Captain Harry Kane is just 24 and Tottenham hot shot Dele Alli is 22. With an average age of 26, England was the third youngest team at the World Cup.

Footballers have a lot in common with Financial Advisers, when you think about it. They have to think tactically, play as a team, and be able to anticipate different outcomes. It is unsurprising then, that so many footballers go on to careers in financial planning.

“They have good work ethic and good teamwork,” Daniel told The Modern Adviser, “As a sportsperson you are constantly meeting and working with new people — teammates, managers, physios — you have to have good people skills.”

The Kick-Off

Daniel was scouted for Manchester United in 1999 (a particularly successful year for the club as it turns out) when he was just 17 years old. It was at Old Trafford that he learned some very formative lessons: whether that was from the management style of Sir Alex Ferguson, the business acumen of Robbie Savage or timely football advice from Gary Neville.

He describes his love of football as “ingrained” — his father was also a professional footballer — “my parents tell me I was kicking a ball just as soon as I could stand up.”

When Focus ask ‘when’ Daniel became serious about a career in football he laughs, replying “it was always serious — I’m not a good loser.” That competitive edge is another imperative for an adviser.

“I remember teachers at school saying I wouldn’t make it and that I needed to concentrate on schoolwork, but it was never a doubt in my mind that I was going to make it. I started playing for Wolves when I was 12 and that’s when I showed that I was half-decent as a player.”

‘Half-decent’ is modest of Daniel, who caught the eye of a Manchester United Scout a few years later while still playing for Wolves. Next, he joined the now-legendary squad under Sir Alex Ferguson — “it was a dream come true really.”

Ferguson was famously anti-agents, was this something that influenced Daniel while he was working with him?

“Because of my dad’s experience as a footballer he always looked after me, and Sir Alex Ferguson absolutely loved that. My dad wasn’t an agent looking after his own interests, he always put me first when he negotiated because he wanted the best for me — Ferguson was delighted by that.”

Ferguson’s wisdom and advice have stayed with Daniel, and now, many years later he still relies on things he learned from his days at United. “He’s incredibly influential, and especially respected for his business skills. I remember his people skills — which are so important for what I do now. The personal touch, the way he was with his players… he is an inspiration.”

Passing it on

As a financial adviser, Daniel counts many professional footballers and managers among his clients. Young people who suddenly find themselves with a lot of money who may have to suddenly retire at any time are perfect candidates for shrewd advice — and after losing £30,000 when he was a young footballer, Daniel knows this better than anyone.

Given his past experience, Daniel’s answer to our question ‘which professional footballer would you most like to advise’ may not surprise, though it might make you laugh: “I would choose myself! Me,15 or 16 years ago — I would encourage myself to be disciplined and save towards the future. I would definitely go back in time and tell myself!”

Daniel uses his experience to educate, working with Klipp Wealth Management Ltd and sending advisers into clubs to talk to players. “We go into different clubs and try to educate on the power of saving money the right way. Everyone is different and you have to tailor advice. That’s not unique to footballers though: some people are really interested and think about the future whereas others need a bit more work and maybe a little bit more convincing.”

“There’s definitely a lot more care for young players than when I was a young footballer coming through. Players definitely need a good support network around them.”

“I’ve actually been pleasantly surprised at some of the young lads. I’m working with one at the moment who is set on retiring when he gets to 35 and he constantly asks about what he can do to make that happen. To see that mindset at such a young age is quite encouraging and very impressive.”

Talking to Daniel, the amount he cares about his young clients is clear. The emotional level on which Daniel relates to them, and in many cases, seems to see himself in them adds an extra dimension to his financial advice offering.

“When I was 22 I received some bad advice from a so-called adviser and lost a lot of money. That hurt. I was a young lad, I trusted someone and since then I’ve had a really keen interest in where my money goes.”

He continues: “One of the reasons I’m passionate about working with Klipp Wealth Management and ultimately St. James’s Place is they do things the right way — no get rich quick schemes.”

“There’s a lot of good advice out there, and a lot of bad. We talk to the players, we encourage smaller clubs to embrace this, to foster good habits and discipline. Some people prey on younger — and more vulnerable — footballers.”

“Cash Flow modelling can be really useful for the right client. If a client has a lot going on: different objectives and goals in the future, it can be really helpful to help the client see things and paint a clear picture of their future.”

Penalty Shoot Out

And, of course, we couldn’t resist some quick-fire football questions…

Greatest footballer you played with?

Paul Scholes.

The greatest footballer you played against?

Gareth Bale

Your hardest opponent?

The hardest I ever had was against Joseph Yobo for Everton — he was very strong and powerful.

Most intelligent (on the pitch!) opponent?

I only played him once… but in terms of passes and intelligence on the pitch I’d probably say Paul Gascoigne — I didn’t play against him much, but the one time I did it was incredible watching him think.

Greatest football moment?

I was a Coventry City fan growing up, and I remember Darren Huckerby scored a winning goal against Manchester United when I was 13. That always sticks in my mind — as a Coventry fan you never expect to beat Manchester United! It was a wondergoal for Huckerby and me and my pals were just going mad.

Dream XI?

Ohh… well, I would have Steve Ogrizovic in goal because he was a hero of mine growing up. Rio Ferdinand, Paolo Maldini and Fabio Cannavaro as defenders. Midfield I would probably have Paul Telfer (another Coventry player I loved), Andrea Pirlo (’cause he’s a hero), Gennaro Gattuso and left Gianluca Zambrotta. Up front is easy: Messi, Ronaldo and Roberto Baggio.

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Klipp Wealth Management Ltd represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website at www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the title ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.