Napoli and Bologna: CorrSport on smart management in Italy | OneFootball

Napoli and Bologna are not just the protagonists of the Italian Super Cup final. According to Ivan Zazzaroni, director of Corriere dello Sport, they above all represent the best example of how a football club should be managed in Italy today.

Napoli and Bologna, models of virtuous management: CorrSport on football that works in Italy

Two clubs different in history, size, and communication style, but united by a clear vision, a solid structure, and managerial continuity that in recent years has produced concrete results.

A final that certifies a journey, not just a trophy

For Zazzaroni, Napoli-Bologna is a “deserved” final not only because it pits the league champion against the Italian Cup winner, but because it seals the most convincing growth path of the last four years.

“Napoli-Bologna is not the right final just because it brings together the winners of the league and the Italian Cup. Above all, it is because it certifies the success of the two clubs that in the last four years have made the greatest progress in terms of solidity, stability, and results.”

In a football context often dominated by improvisation and constant changes of direction, Napoli and Bologna have built robust foundations, both financially and organizationally.

Present ownership and well-defined identities

One of the key elements highlighted by Zazzaroni is the constant presence of the owners. Aurelio De Laurentiis and Joey Saputo embody two opposite character models, but are equally effective.

“Here we are: physical, recognizable, and present ownership, even while respecting natural character differences.”

On one side, the communicative energy, sometimes excessive, of De Laurentiis; on the other, Saputo’s reserve. Two different styles, but both capable of providing guidance, vision, and stability over time.

Competent management and well-defined roles

At the heart of the two clubs’ success is a highly specialized management structure. Administrators who are experts in numbers and sports politics, such as Chiavelli at Napoli and Fenucci at Bologna, operate discreetly, always a step behind the ownership, but with a decisive influence on strategic choices.

The work of the sporting directors is also fundamental. Napoli continued along the path set by Giuntoli with the addition of Giovanni Manna, while Bologna relies on the experience and intuition of Giovanni Sartori, a figure unanimously recognized as one of the most competent in the Italian scene.

Scouting, coaches, and enhancing the “football product”

Zazzaroni also highlights the importance of efficient scouting and high-profile coaches. Napoli and Bologna have been able to choose managers capable of immediately giving identity and results: Antonio Conte, synonymous with instant victories, and Vincenzo Italiano, increasingly impressive in his journey after inheriting from Thiago Motta, who in turn succeeded Mihajlovic.

All of this is part of a clear strategy to enhance the “football product,” understood as entertainment, sustainability, and credibility of the sporting project.

The winning formula: competence and continuity

The key point of Zazzaroni’s analysis is continuity.

“Competence, attention to the product, and continuity: a simple, almost obvious formula, but effective. For a strategy to work, it cannot be continually reset.”

Napoli and Bologna demonstrate that growth does not come from constant revolutions, but from a coherent line carried forward over time. A strong message for all of Italian football, which in these two realities can find a credible and replicable model.

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