Patrzio Morini, a South Tyrolean coaching icon. © David Laner

Pat Morini: With South Tyrolean power in the tiny state

Patrizio Morini will soon be 70, but he's not tired at all. This season, the retired Italian teacher will be moving to SC Faetano, a team in San Marino's top division. But he's not heading south alone.

June 11, 2025

By: christian.morandell

Which players he is taking with him from South Tyrol, which players he would have liked to have taken with him and why he has taken on another challenge outside the province after the botched adventure in Umbria, he explains in the exclusive SportNews-Conversation.

Patrizio Morini, the ink on your contract with SC Faetano is dry. Why this decision to coach a team outside the region?

Morini: "After my time at SSV Brixen ended, Faetano contacted me in the spring. We had extensive and lengthy discussions, including on-site. I made demands and told them quite clearly that if these demands weren't met, I wouldn't come to San Marino. Past experience has taught me that."


What demands were these, purely economic ones?

"Money isn't everything! Of course, I want to be paid for my work, but that was never my main focus. It was more about training in a suitable environment, bringing along some players I know and respect very well, and having a coaching staff that has been familiar with the league for years, as I haven't yet encountered that league. I've seen some of the opponents on video, but those are all games from last season. One thing was very important to me, though. Since San Marino is only a few kilometers from the sea, I wanted accommodation by the sea."


Which four players are coming with you to San Marino?

"There are four players in total. Nue Nreca (full-back) and Benjamin Ukaj (winger) have signed from ASC Stegen. Joining me from SSV Brixen are attacker Alexandre Korè and midfielder Luca Bertoldi from the top-flight club Benacense."

Alexandre Korè (here still at St. Georgen) goes to San Marino with Morini.

Alexandre Korè was sidelined with numerous injuries last season. Can a player like that help you on the field?

"Everyone tells me that (slightly annoyed). I'm convinced that Korè can become a very important player. I've worked with many strikers and players like Thomas Bachlechner, Matthias Bacher, Bernd Mair, Thomas Albanese, and Joachim Degasperi to prepare them for the championship so that they were fundamental players or made the difference in their respective leagues. I'm convinced I'll be able to do the same with Korè."


Were there other players in South Tyrol that you would have taken with you?

"Absolutely, but unfortunately, SC Faetano's budget is also limited. If I'd had the opportunity to bring more players, I would have taken goalkeeper Peter Weiss from SSV Brixen, winger Andrea Carlini from Jergina, and Marco Miuli from SSV Brixen."

Morini would also have been interested in Brixen's goalkeeper Peter Weiss. © Thomas Debelyak

Were there any other offers besides Faetano?

"Absolutely! Union Trento, which was promoted to the Oberliga this year, contacted me in the winter, shortly before Faetano approached me. I made very specific demands to Faetano and had to wait to see if they could meet them. Stegen also asked me if there was a possibility of taking over the team in the Landesliga. Another offer came from ASC St. Georgen. There, President Georg Brugger offered me the position of sporting director. This would also have involved responsibility for the coaches and the Oberliga team. Such a position is not yet an option for me; I want to remain a coach as long as possible."

"Another offer came from St. Georgen. There, President Georg Brugger offered me the position of Sports Director." Patricia Morini

What is the situation with financial resources in football in San Marino?

"Quite well, because San Marino is a full member of FIFA. The San Marino association collects FIFA TV money, which amounts to approximately 1 million euros a year. This money is distributed to the clubs according to a specific key."


What is the level of football in San Marino?

"I would classify the level as follows: The first four teams in the table are at Serie D level, the rest are more at our top league level."

Patrizio Morini signing his contract in San Marino.

What goals does Faetano have with coach Morini?

"This season, we definitely want to be among the top eight teams in the regular season. These teams qualify directly for the playoffs. A personal dream or wish would be to finish among the top four teams, because then we would be eligible for the pre-playoffs for the European Cups next summer. The champions qualify for the Champions League preliminary round, while the runners-up and the third-place team qualify for the Europa League pre-playoffs. The fourth-place team goes into the Conference League preliminary round."


You're bringing four players with you from South Tyrol. What do you know about the other players?

"I have a total of 25 players at my disposal. 17 of them are new this year. One player who was already under contract last year comes from Kazakhstan. The club is in negotiations with a player from China or is close to completing a deal. The sporting director is currently putting out feelers in China and Eastern Europe. Perhaps something will come from there. Midfielder Kevin Zonzini is also in the squad, having made six appearances for the San Marino national team."


Your last "foray" as a coach outside the region ended after five matches. Why would Patrizio Morini, at almost 5, undertake such an undertaking again?

"First and foremost, I'm attracted to new things and the desire to develop further. You can usually only do that when you leave your own living room. I maintain that this commitment is structured very differently this time. In Castiglione al Lago, the management either didn't share some information with me or didn't consider it important to communicate it. For example, a club official in Perugia only told me after I signed that only one player was currently under contract. The club waited for my confirmation and went on a promotional tour with me as coach to lure players to Castiglione. That can't end well, because at the start of training, although I had players at training, I had several to choose from in one position and no trained players at all in some positions. With this mixed squad, we earned one point in the first five games, and it became apparent that the squad would remain as it was. For this reason, I thanked the club and said goodbye. Fortunately, that's not the case in Faetano. With the exception of a few players, almost all have valid contracts for the coming season. Those I'm bringing with me from South Tyrol have already signed the contract. Furthermore, all my demands were accepted in advance and almost completely implemented."