The most burning FCS questions: Dietmar Pfeifer speaks now

FCS managing director Dietmar Pfeifer takes stock, reveals why he puts this season's performance and last year's fairytale season on the same level, talks about the work of coach Federico Valente and looks to the coming 2024/25 season, which is “extreme again will be difficult.”

The most important question that concerns all FCS fans is: Will coach Federico Valente stay?

“We want to give ourselves time to make a decision that everyone supports 100 percent. After all, we don’t want to make the same mistake as last year when we extended Pierpaolo Bisoli and then found that things weren’t working anymore.”

When can we expect a final decision on the coaching question?

“We had our last championship game on Friday and discussions are now underway between coach Valente, sports director Paolo Bravo and Hannes Fink. The past season will be analyzed, after which Bravo and Fink, our sports department, will present the results of the discussions to the board of directors. There will be a decision on the coaching question within the next two weeks.”

Valente managed to stay in the league early with the FCS. What speaks against a new contract for the football teacher from Switzerland?

“Coach Valente did an excellent job – despite very difficult conditions. He didn't know the league and had never been the head coach of a professional team before. Nevertheless, he managed to instill his ideas into FC Südtirol within a manageable period of time and impose a completely new game system on the team. All of this speaks for Valente. But it would be very superficial if we went and immediately extended the contract with the coach. We play in a league in which we have to use all our strength to stay in the league. Financially, we often cannot keep up with the competition in Series B. Our sporting analyzes must therefore be all the more in-depth. It's about development, perspective, integration of talent. It is clear that Valente did a very good job. But we want to take our time making the decision.”

Will Federico Valente remain coach at FC Südtirol? © DLife/LO

Sports director Paolo Bravo still has one year left on his contract. He stays?

“I don’t see any signs why he shouldn’t stay. FC Südtirol is planning firmly with sports director Bravo, who has always had sporting success since he came to us in 2018.”

What will next season's squad look like?

“First we have to make a decision on the coaching question. Once this is clarified, sports analysis extends to the players. Do they fit the coach's playing philosophy? Do you fit in with FC Südtirol? You have to answer these questions together with the trainer.”

Will Jasmin Kurtic stay at FC Südtirol?

“At this point it is difficult to say who will stay or not stay. There are 8 teams still in action in Serie B, there are 2 rounds left in Serie A, and numerous clubs are still playing for promotion in Serie C. The season is over for us, but not for many other teams.”

Simone Davi (right) had an extremely strong season.

Are there any offers for Simone Davi?

“No, not at the moment, but that can change. As I said: it's still too early. The season is still ongoing.”

Does the squad need to be changed at all?

“The current FCS certainly has a more stable basis than Bisoli’s FC Südtirol. Nevertheless, the squad must be renewed in good time, you can't miss this moment, otherwise you'll have a problem. Older players are experienced, but also more prone to injuries. You have to be prepared.”

What does Andrea Masiello do?

“He is a player who I can easily imagine him sticking with for another year. Masiello helped FC Südtirol enormously. He also played a strong championship this year. Despite his age, he is in great shape.”

What grade would you give FC Südtirol this season?

“A 9 because it was an extremely difficult season – with a change of coach and a league level that has risen again. The fact that this team secured relegation on the third-to-last matchday - with one of the smallest budgets - and missed out on a play-off participation by only 4 points is a fantastic achievement that I put on a par with last year's season. Not quite as good, but almost.”

Andrea Masiello could hang on for another season.

FC Südtirol was only in a relegation place once, but over a very long period of time, especially during the winter break. How hard was this time?

“It wasn’t nice. But it can happen that the FCS, which is fighting to stay in the league, ends up in a play-out place during the season - as FC Südtirol you have to be aware of that. You shouldn't get nervous about that. After the defeats against Reggiana and Lecco, we focused fully on the work and blocked out all the background noise and interference. Not many people believed in us. We analyzed the coach's work and were convinced that he was the right person and that we were on the right track. In the end we were right.”

The FCS had a total budget of 16,5 million euros at its disposal last season. Will it stay that way?

“Of course, our goal is to increase our budget step by step in order to remain competitive, which is not easy. Financially, we cannot give many players what they get elsewhere. FC Südtirol has to take other approaches to be attractive to players. The family environment, peace and quiet, fans who don't cause any problems – that's what we can score with. Of course, our aim is to increase the budget. We are looking for strategic partners who identify with the values and traditions of the club and with our country South Tyrol. That is the big challenge. It will be extremely difficult again next year. Lecco and Feralpisaló are no longer there, instead Mantova and Cesena come, 2 large calibers. It’s another herculean task to leave 5 teams behind in Serie B.”

When does the FCS start the new 2024/25 season?

“The players will go home in the coming days, and around July 10th we will meet again at the FCS Center in Rungg. On July 14th we go to the training camp in Ridnaun, where the team completes their summer preparation until July 26th. Our quarters are again the Hotel Schneeberg, training takes place in Stange.”

Serie B Italy	SP	TV	P
1. Sassuolo	22	50:23	52
2. Step on	22	38:19	47
3. Specia	21	30:14	39
4. Cremonese	22	32:22	36
5. Palermo	22	23:19	30
6. Juventus Stabia	22	23:25	30
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The most burning FCS questions: Dietmar Pfeifer speaks now

FC Südtirol ended its second Serie B season in 2th place and ultimately confidently achieved its season goal of staying in the league. We talked to managing director Dietmar Pfeifer about the most burning topics.

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