Live TMW
The Lega Pro elective assembly took place this morning, which saw the reconfirmation of Matteo Marani as president of the third series: the only candidate, he nevertheless received unanimity of votes. With him, vice president Gianfranco Zola was also re-elected.
Soon, the post-election press conference.
4.33pm: the conference begins. It is introduced by Lega Pro press officer Paolo Nacarlo, who also presents a video on the emotions of the category and of the championship that has just started.
President Marani then speaks: “We have the pleasure of being here after the re-elections, we started this journey two years ago, in an environment, the institutional one, which is new to me. It is an important journey, with gratifying results, we have also acquired visibility on TV, we have quadrupled the revenues, we have made a reform, the Zola Reform, which incentivises clubs that enhance the youth sectors, in which we will continue to invest. We also invest in training, and therefore we want more respect, because there is a single football supply chain Italian, and this must be kept together: C has also produced many champions, like Zola here. Arguing, splitting and dividing leads to nothing.”
Zola himself echoes this: “There isn’t much to add. When Matteo called me a year and a half ago the first reaction was fear, but then I thought about everything that C has given me, and I felt the need to give something back to a League that was very important for me. I grew up in a small town with few souls, I didn’t play in youth sectors, without the C I wouldn’t have been the player I became of extraordinary work, and seeing 60 teams united and cooperating is a great joy: the Zola Reform is nothing more than the product of the clubs’ ideas. We are a service league, the presidents do not earn, but they give a service to Italian football, because Young people really grow up here. And we would like to be more and more incisive.”
Question for Marani – What was the most satisfying moment of these 600 days and how did you experience the signs of good health of the clubs as well as a new U23?
“There were many moments, I traveled around Italy a lot, and there were many moments, even distant ones, in which I felt the affection of all the presidents: in the penultimate assembly they applauded me, it was a touching moment because it made it clear that the divisions had been overcome, however, I don’t take credit for the quiet summer, there were delicate situations to manage that we didn’t bring to the outside, but here there are rules, also put in place by those who preceded me, that have helped. given a good basis. And we would like to put a control on costs shortly, we will have a discussion with the clubs, but we would like to be the first League to put a cap on expenses, because economic sustainability is a very important aspect, i football costs must be secured. As regards the U23s, I want to underline that we are the only league to have made a reform, I thank the presidents for the acceptance of the U23s, but at the moment there are no further indications.”
Question for both of you – You have achieved many goals, which was the most difficult to achieve? And does the Zola Reform please Spalletti too?
Marani: “We are the league with the most young people inside, and I am proud of having changed the feeling inside the League, 57 clubs have given us total acclaim as a demonstration of unity, and the external one, because we are no longer the league considered unlucky , there is a lot of interest and visibility, it is a fresh league that knows how to communicate.”
Zola: “It was nice to see the trend change, to see the clubs more productive, more united: they are the ones who gave us the solutions to work, and it’s wonderful to see the desire to work and share that there is. I’m also happy to see that even young people are given more consideration, and I’m talking about footballers: there is a balance between young people and experts that now works perfectly, and I was sure that it was something that could be done. Young people are growing up and the quality isn’t affected example can also be an encouragement for the higher categories”.
Question for Marani – How does Lega Pro arrive from the meeting on November 4th?
“It arrives compact and united with a re-elected president. We have a serene attitude, it will be a tough and perhaps harsh confrontation but I respect that we go with serenity and a predisposition to listen and reason: however, we want to understand which ideas drive a certain reform. However, we want the recognition role in the formation of this league, we are not invited to a party but we are part of the football system.”
Question again for Marani – Returning to the U23 theme, could the next step be to encourage fans to recognize them as a club and take part in an away match?
“The fans must be fans, I won’t go into the merits of their visions and positions. But the fans are one thing and the institutions another: if they hadn’t wanted to, there wouldn’t have been the Second Teams. Which have arrived here even with 20 years delay compared to other European countries. However, in the playoffs we will not have players of an age who have never taken part in the playoffs.”
Question for Zola – Is there an increase in quality, like in his time?
“Yes, there is an increase in the quality of the game, which I think is already quite good. Perhaps certain plays are missing, but in modern times there is less demand for the playmaker, the tactics have changed, the type of game is different. We need However, there is still a step forward, even on a physical level.”
Question for Marani – In this second term, which Serie C would you like?
“I would like a more sustainable C, which was the first league that was more sustainable and with expense control, but also a respected C.”