Unprecedented: 23-year-old becomes club boss in Italy | OneFootball

Fresh wind at Ternana Calcio: The Italian third-division club has recently gained a new president – and she is making history right away. At just 23 years old, she is the youngest club chairwoman in Italian football history.

Claudia Rizzo was appointed president of the third-division club by her father Gianluigi, after he bought the club just a month ago. "It’s important to show that I’m not just here because of my family," she said in an interview with 'The Guardian'. "I’m here to work, to learn, and to earn respect."

She grew up with football from an early age, as she reveals: "When I was born, my father congratulated my mother – not so much because of the birth, but because she did it on the same day his team, Juventus, won the Scudetto!" She herself describes football as her passion. 

Now, 23 years later, she is allowed to lead the fortunes of another Italian club, which was still playing in Serie B in 2024. Despite her age, she doesn’t feel any pressure. "I see youth as a strength," she explained. She wants to bring fresh ideas and a modern approach to the club. 

"At Ternana, it’s important to build a bridge between the new and older generations while preserving the identity of the club," Rizzo added. As president, she doesn’t want to be distant, because the players should feel her support.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

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