Roberto Forzoni will be looking to weave his magic on Tooting & Mitcham after being named their new manager on Tuesday.

The 52-year-old comes with an impressive CV – having worked in the backroom teams at Crystal Palace, West Ham, Brighton, Brentford and Charlton Athletic among others – and takes over from Kenny Brown following relegation to Ryman Division One South.

Forzoni is also a qualified sports psychologist, has a sport sciences degree, is currently studying a PhD researching the psychological effects of DVD and video in sport and is also an active member of the Magic Circle.

Between 1995 and 1999 he coached at Croydon Athletic, Dulwich Hamlet and Chipstead and is excited by the challenge of returning to non-League with Tooting.

“I am from south London and know the club and a bit about their history,” he said.

“People spoke very highly of the set up there and when I spoke to the chairman and the board they said a lot of good things.

“It has got a lot of potential with the academy and reserve set ups and they are very serious about youth football.

“And, in terms of training, the new astroturf pitches are going to be great and it means only the first team will play on the main pitch so it should be a good surface.

“The owners have a big project with the Hub and making that something for the community as well so there is lots going on.”

Tooting used around 90 players throughout the course of last season and Forzoni, who has not managed a senior first team before, will invite some back as well as hoping to make use of his contacts at clubs in the professional ranks as he forms his team.

“The board have recommended some players from last year and we will have some open trials later in the summer,” he added.

“I know a lot of the professional clubs around here too so, hopefully, I can get some youngsters down here from those.

“I knew Tooting struggled last year so I thought there would be an opportunity here.

“I have managed Brentford reserves, which in terms of level, is probably a bit higher so I think that experience will stand me in good stead.”