CEO Andrea Gazzoli press conference

This morning, Spezia Calcio CEO Andrea Gazzoli held a press conference in the media room of the "Alberto Picco" stadium. Gazzoli will remain at the helm of the Club through 2028. These were his remarks: “We’re coming off a season filled with accomplishments on all fronts, and I’m very pleased to have extended my agreement with the Ownership. I’m proud to continue on this path, especially because I believe that for any executive, time, stability, and a clear long-term vision are essential.

It was important to give Thomas Roberts and Charlie Stillitano time to get to know the people and the organization, and I want to thank them for their trust. I also want to thank Vice President Andrea Corradino, attorneys Giacomo Bei and Maurizio Scaccabarozzi, who stood by me during very challenging times, where we worked tirelessly to preserve the Club’s structure. For that, I owe my thanks to everyone working at the Club, including Nicolò Peri for the corporate side, Stefano Melissano for the sporting side, head coach Luca D’Angelo, the team, Lorenzo Ferretti, and individuals such as Gianluca Parenti and Riccardo Lazzini. I must also thank the companies and partners who remained patient, even when faced with delays during key moments of the season. The sporting outcome wasn’t the one we had hoped for, but the season’s journey remains an extraordinary one.

Dialogue is essential to us. We are a sports organization with significant numbers, but we also have a social role to fulfill. The fact that we were able to carry out many initiatives collaboratively, such as the logo change, is a great source of pride. The work we’ve done, our constant communication with the community, and our transparency have helped us increase the average attendance at the stadium by 70%, which is both incredible and rewarding.

Perhaps what had been missing in this Club was a sense of awareness: we must always be aware of our resources, our goals, and our people, and we must have a clear understanding of where we want to go. Now, I believe all the pieces are in place.

We’re starting again from scratch, but not in terms of continuity. We have a serious and solid organization, and a leadership team that will ensure consistency moving forward, especially with the imminent signing of Stefano Melissano. The same goes for the sporting side: the coach will continue with us, I confirm this, should there be any doubts. It’s only natural, after a disappointment, to take a few days to process and reset. It’s also normal that when you have a quality striker, there will be suitors. But the truth is, we’re united and eager to rebuild on solid foundations and that’s what matters most.

The developments at the Picco were an important step, and with the upcoming projects on Viale Fieschi, we’ll wrap up the current phase of stadium planning, though development will continue in other ways. Our main focus now, in terms of infrastructure, is Follo, where the team spends its entire day. It’s simply not feasible to overlook the need for development there. It must become a modern, spacious, and permanent facility. The project can’t end with the addition of a third field. As for the Ferdeghini, we’ll be replacing the main pitch, which has reached the end of its lifecycle. Beyond that, we aim to be even more deeply rooted in the local community, working to develop the next Vignali or Cassata, not just as strong players, but as individuals with a true sense of belonging.

Streamlining internal processes? We’re fortunate to have a hands-on president like Stillitano, whom I speak with daily. He will play a key role in helping Owner Thomas Roberts, who is new to the dynamics of Italian football, better understand our path forward. When the strategy is clear, it’s easier to work effectively and plan the necessary steps.

We all know Serie B. I’ve been involved with the league since 2011, and first and foremost, you must safeguard your place in the division. Recent examples show that investment and big statements alone aren’t enough to succeed. Serie B is unlike any other league, results often defy predictions, competition is fierce, and you have to proceed step by step, with a strong foundation and a clear idea of what you’re aiming for.

The roster and transfer market will be addressed in a dedicated press conference by our Sporting Director. What I can say now is that we’ve had one of the most promising young talents in the league this season, and we’ll need to do a great job replacing players who are leaving, whether due to expiring loans or contracts.

Salvatore Esposito? When a player performs well, it’s normal for offers to come in. But the market is driven by supply and demand, and we’ll evaluate everything carefully and calmly.

Regarding Bedin’s comments on stadium redevelopment: it’s a great opportunity, not just for individual clubs, but for the entire football movement. Bedin saw the stadium during the final and experienced firsthand the improvements in efficiency and functionality. There’s still work to be done in Italy, but success in these projects always depends on strong synergy with the local government and the fanbase.

Viale Fieschi will be a top priority in the near future. We haven’t yet discussed covering the Piscina end of the stadium, but it’s something we can look into. However, the limited space behind that stand compared to the Ferrovia end makes things more complicated. In any case, it’s important to have ready-to-go, well-defined plans. It often takes up to a year for all the administrative steps to be in place before you can move to the next phase. As a clear example: I can start planning Follo’s future today, but that doesn’t mean construction starts tomorrow, it means being prepared to act, potentially a year from now, once planning and permits are finalized.

The transfer budget and wage bill? Given that our Ownership arrived in Italy in early May, has no prior experience in football, and operates from the United States, albeit with Stillitano as a key intermediary, we’re starting with known costs, specifically existing player contracts. We’re currently building out our budget and wage framework, which will be shaped in part by market dynamics, both incoming and outgoing. So it’s a variable picture, but our goal remains to be competitive and aim to win. Do we need to sell before buying? Not necessarily. We’re not under pressure to sell in the short term. We’ve prepared a financial and operational budget that allows us to act right away. If a player we want becomes available tomorrow, we’re in a position to move without waiting for a sale.

Over time, we may have lost ground when it comes to internal player development. But it’s a complex issue that deserves careful analysis, especially considering how much regulations have changed in recent years, which is not a minor factor. We must continue to be a key point of reference for the region, and we need to strengthen our relationships with Serie C clubs so that younger players not yet ready for the first team can grow. That’s an area where we’ve perhaps fallen short. Just as we need stability at the leadership level, we also need it in our Youth Sector to carry out medium-and long-term projects, and that’s exactly what we’re working toward.

Under-23 teams? The current number is still low, and I don’t expect it to increase in the short term. The challenges around costs, benefits, and infrastructure are significant, and results take time. Sure, Inter might be able to retain more of their younger talent now, but I don’t see this becoming a widespread issue.

As for the Ferdeghini, we’re still bound by a long-term lease. We’re very comfortable there and may consider future options, but at the moment, it’s not a top priority".