Giordano was a prolific striker with good technique and dribbling ability, and also possessed an accurate and powerful shot with either foot; due to his characteristics, he was regarded as the heir of Giorgio Chinaglia.

He soon established himself as one of the most effective Italian strikers, winning the Serie A capocannoniere title during the 1978–79 season, scoring 19 goals.

Giordano made his senior Italy national team debut on 5 December 1978, coming on as a substitute for Francesco Graziani in a 1–0 friendly victory over Spain, and playing alongside Paolo Rossi.

In January 2006, he was called to coach the last-place Serie B team Catanzaro, in a situation widely similar to Reggiana's.

[2] On 30 January 2007, following a series of poor results including a home loss to last-place Ascoli, Giordano was sacked, but then reappointed by Messina chairman Pietro Franza on 2 April, following the firing of the replacement coach Alberto Cavasin.