Patrizio Morini embarks on a completely new adventure. © David Laner

In an exotic football location: Patrizio Morini's new job

Patrizio Morini is one of the most recognizable names in South Tyrolean amateur football. Now the iconic coach is embarking on a new, completely unusual path far from his hometown.

18 May 2025

From: det

There's no question: Patrizio Morini is arguably the most successful South Tyrolean amateur football coach of the past few decades. And he is certainly one of the most dazzling personalities that local football has ever produced. This is precisely why there has been so much speculation about the 68-year-old football coach in recent weeks. Where will Morini – who has been without a club since the winter – end up?

Will he stay in South Tyrolean football? Will he lead Stegen's turnaround in the regional league after their relegation? Or will he take charge of a top-flight club from Trentino? There have been many rumors, but now it's clear: none of them are true. Morini is embarking on a completely new adventure – and will take over a team in San Marino. Since Friday, it has been confirmed that "Pat" will be on the sidelines of Società Calcio Faetano in the 2025/26 season.

Morini most recently played for SSV Brixen. © T. Debelyak

San Marino? Yes, that's right! That's the tiny country in central Italy, which, with 30.000 inhabitants and an area of ​​approximately 60 km² (the size of the municipality of Eppan), is the fifth-smallest country in the world. San Marino repeatedly gains worldwide attention for its national football team, which is considered the team that always loses. In the FIFA world rankings, San Marino is ranked 210th and last.

How does this change come about?

Now Patrizio Morini will work in this tiny state and coach Faetano, one of the 16 teams in the San Marino championship. But how did the football coach from Bruneck get such an exotic engagement? "I have an advisor, and he told me three months ago about the possibility of taking over a team in San Marino," Morini explains to SportNews. "So I went to Rimini three times and met with the people in charge there. I was immediately attracted to this opportunity," Morini said.

“There are four referees at every game.” Patricia Morini

The football coach, who shaped a long era, especially at St. Georgen, has already had a firsthand look at the San Marino championship. "It's professionally organized. There are four referees at each game, and every match is broadcast live, including on the official FIFA channel. There are differences in quality within the league: The top teams are at the highest Serie D level, while those at the bottom of the table are good top-flight teams," explains Morini.

The dream of Champions League qualification

For the 68-year-old, this adventure is something of a crowning achievement. "I've always wanted to go abroad, and this is the opportunity," he smiles, adding: "I think my coaching career will come to an end after this engagement in San Marino."

Morini celebrated his greatest successes with St. Georgen. © Franz Griessmair

But that's still a long way off. Patrizio Morini's coaching passion is still burning, and he can hardly wait to get to work in San Marino. "The hope is to finish in the top four of the league. These teams will qualify for the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League," says Morini. He also explains: "Each team's squad must have at least three players from San Marino. The majority of the other players come from Italy, but there are also foreign players in the teams. There are also a few former pros in the league."

He is not allowed to live in San Marino

Curiously, Morini himself isn't allowed to live in San Marino, but is provided with an apartment on the beach in Rimini. "Only people who are truly from San Marino are allowed to live in San Marino. However, it only takes me ten minutes from my apartment to get to the pitch," explains the football coach, who will head south at the end of July, where training for the new season begins at the beginning of August. "I'm really looking forward to this new adventure," concludes the flamboyant coach. Yes, there's never a dull moment around Patrizio Morini.