After 12 years: An era ends at FC Südtirol

"I'm going back to coaching in Natz. The double burden of my job as a sports teacher and my job at FC Südtirol was simply too much for me," Schraffl explained his decision. With Schraffl's departure, an era comes to an end at FC Südtirol. He had been in charge of the FCS youth team since 2013.

At that time, he succeeded Fausto Grandi. "I do believe that the youth sector has played a decisive role in FC Südtirol being where it is today, namely in Serie B," said Schraffl, who was given a ceremonial farewell at the "stay-at-home party" at the FCS Center in Rungg along with his colleagues Dino Ciresa and Daniel Ochner.

Around 25 players sold profitably "When FC Südtirol was still playing in Serie C, it was also about making profits by selling youth players, which then flowed into building the professional team," explained Schraffl. "We did a good job there. We've sold around 25 players profitably in recent years, while simultaneously paving their way into major professional football. I'm thinking, for example, of Lorenzo Sgarbi, who moved to Napoli, or Luca Polli, who was signed by Sampdoria. But there are many others," Schraffl recalled.

Were ceremoniously bid farewell by FCS President Gerhard Comper (right): Daniel Ochner, Dino Ciresa and Alex Schraffl (from left).

Now the strategy has changed. "Since promotion to Serie B, integrating our brightest young talent into the first team has been our top priority," emphasized Schraffl. "Raphael Kofler is already worth at least €3 million today. With the Davi brothers, we have two more homegrown players in our Serie B squad. That fills me with great pride. I can't count Fabian Tait, though, because he was never part of our youth team," Schraffl grinned, also recalling the second-division pros who grew up in the FCS youth system and then continued their careers elsewhere.

The store is running "Sgarbi, Wieser, Zuelli, Zanon, De Luca – they all realized their dream of professional football through FC Südtirol. And let's not forget Simon Straudi, who plays in the Bundesliga for Klagenfurt. In youth football, it's not the trophies you win that matter, but the number of talented players who ultimately manage to make their dream come true." “I do think that the youth sector has made a decisive contribution to FC Südtirol being where it is today.” Alex Schraffl Schraffl is also proud of the collaboration with South Tyrolean clubs. "When I started at FC Südtirol, it was anything but easy. But year after year, the collaboration improved. Now we have over 100 partner clubs throughout the region. I would like to thank all the amateur clubs in the country for this. Over these twelve years, there have been countless trips and discussions – the work has always been constructive, productive, and ultimately successful. That's what makes me happiest."

Schraffl's responsibilities also included building FC Südtirol Women. "We started from scratch, and now we have one of the strongest women's football clubs in northern Italy. We're celebrating tremendous success with the girls. Here in South Tyrol, we have enormous potential when it comes to women's football," Schraffl emphasized.

The greatest talents Schraffl has seen many talents come and go. "The greatest talent was undoubtedly Simon Straudi; physically and athletically, he was on a different level. Sgarbi was also an exceptional talent, but suffered from bad luck with injuries. David Wieser was incredibly talented, but physically, he wasn't quite as strong. In the end, so many factors have to come together," explained Schraffl.

According to Schraffl, Simon Straudi (left, now with Klagenfurt) was the greatest talent among the FCS youth academy. © APA / DIETMAR STIPLOVSEK

Ultimately, the decisive difference is always mentality. "There are tons of talented players in football. It also requires the right attitude, the will to improve every day. Tait and Kofler aren't mega-talents, but they are mentality machines. Everyone can learn a thing or two from them."

Schraffl recalled Nadir Zortea, whom then-sporting director Luca Piazzi brought from Feltre to the FCS youth team in 2013. "He stayed with us for a year, was a good player, but certainly not outstanding. Today he's a regular starter for Cagliari in Serie A. That's what I mean when I say that mentality makes the difference."

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After 12 years: An era ends at FC Südtirol

Alex Schraffl looks back proudly on his twelve years as FCS youth manager. "We currently have eight professionals in Serie B alone who we trained at FC Südtirol," emphasized the 50-year-old from Brixen, who is now returning to the place he once left.

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