«The C series is the real Italy. We are the youth league»- Corriere.it

His first hundred days (actually 135) convinced him that taking the plunge, from journalist to manager, was the right choice. Matthew Marani from 9 February president of the Lega Pro which belonged to Francesco Ghirelli. I found passion and courage. An authentic world, with excesses and imperfections, but dynamic, passionate, real. The mirror of our country. With us there are entrepreneurs who put their hands on their wallets only out of passion and to help the realities in which they live.

By the way, Lega Pro or Serie C?

Serie C, this is how we ennoble tradition. I started following a C team, Crevalcore, when I was at the Guerin Sportsman. it was a bit like closing the circle.

What does your League represent?

The real Italy, from Trento and Trieste to Catania and Messina: 19 out of 20 regions, only the Aosta Valley is missing.

An exciting championship has just ended.


Lecco-Foggia recorded more than one million listeners and over 10 percent share, surpassing last year’s Palermo-Padua. The playoffs are cruel and beautiful, a small World Cup. And the next championship will be even more competitive with large squares and a great tradition.

For now, Lecco is in trouble…

My hope is that the four promoted teams can play in Serie B. However, we can only defer to the decisions of the Football Federation.

The economic crisis is a transversal evil.

Gigantism is the real evil. Sustainability is our comet star, but it should be for the entire movement. The C is often used as a scapegoat, but without arguing I remember that our debt is one twentieth compared to Serie A. Gone are the days when many clubs disappeared every summer.

How did you do it?
From the point of view of controls and assistance we are an example. And I say it without problems because the merit of those who preceded me. Our rigor is a lifeline. Football made a big mistake….

What would that be?

The reckless rush for revenue when it should have been the cost. Even in large societies, the shrewdness that our grandmothers had would be useful.

Naples is an example.

This is because he won by reducing expenses. Here Feralpi managed to do it with the youngsters and Lecco by working well. You don’t always have to buy the best one, but the right one and don’t let the competition overwhelm you.

Plans ahead of the first complete season as president?

We want to grow the product and for this we are negotiating TV rights. And I intend to increase the dialogue with the other leagues. We are an asset, not a problem. If C doesn’t work, the whole environment suffers. We are the youth championship, a reserve for A and B, but also for the national team. We have increased the enhancement premium by 200 percent for those who use the children of their own nursery. Loans, even at the behest of Fifa, are the past. And Zola is doing a great job right on young people.

The second teams struggle to take the field.

There is only Juve. Now Atalanta should enter the draw. Others have not followed up on initial interest. Ours is a sign of availability and collaboration. The clubs should be thanked.

What are you most proud of after these first four months.

Of the contribution of 40,000 euros that we gave to Romagna after the floods.

Do your presidents fight like those of Serie A?
A little less. In Lega Pro there is a great sense of belonging also in the name of Franchi. We will call the ball of the next championship Artemio in honor of him.

His League alongside Corriere della Sera to remember Roberto Stracca.

And we will always be there. An honor for us. You moved me to meet Maria Pia, Roberto’s mother. A brave woman who must be taken as an example.

As a journalist, what question would you ask…

How I would like football in 10 years. I would answer clean, sustainable and able to speak to our children. Even without violence and racism and more attentive to the national team which is the most important asset we have.

The Coverciano Museum is always at the center of your thoughts.


I don’t want Lega Pro, but the Museum is a piece of my heart, perhaps because I have a degree in history. And an opportunity to always say thanks to a great manager like Fino Fini.