Giordano's managing career before coaching Messina was somewhat modest, starting in 1993–94 with Monterotondo of Serie D, where he obtained his first (and only) promotion in 1996–97 to coach Crotone (from Serie D to Serie C2). Sacked six times in his career, he remained unemployed. After a good season with Reggiana in 2004–05, he ended in fifth place despite his club's serious financial troubles, which then led to its cancellation. On January 2006, he was called to coach the last-place Serie B team Catanzaro, in a situation widely similar to Reggiana's. Notably, Catanzaro was relegated to Serie C in that season, and declared bankruptcy soon after.