Sports director Paolo Bravo and vice president Carlo Costa (back) took a stand. © DLife/LO

That's what's behind the Bisoli exit: FC Südtirol is clarifying

It was a report that stirred up a lot of dust on Monday evening: FC Südtirol has thrown out the (former) successful coach Pierpaolo Bisoli. Those responsible are now explaining the decision, which is not solely due to the recent earnings crisis.

05 December 2023

From the FCS Center in Eppan

On Tuesday morning at 10 a.m., less than 18 hours after Bisoli's exit was announced with a short-syllable broadcast, FC Südtirol called for a press conference in Rungg. Around two dozen media representatives accepted the invitation, more than ever before. For about an hour the only question was: Why did Pierpaolo Bisoli have to leave?

First seized Vice President Carlo Costa the word. He first thanked Bisoli for what he had achieved: “He achieved incredible things here last season, and we will be eternally grateful to him for that.” After that he left Sports director Paolo Bravo into detail. After all, it was he who was in charge of the decision-making and ultimately informed Bisoli of his dismissal: “The dynamic that had helped us achieve unimagined heights has been completely lost. I have observed a very negative development on the field, in the dressing room and in the surrounding area that needs to be stopped.”

His strength became his weakness

So it is clear: the passion and temperament, i.e. the rousing manner with which Bisoli took over FC Südtirol in the late summer of 2022 and with which he led his team to the playoff semi-finals, has now become his downfall. During these weeks of lack of success (one point from five games), Bisoli offended the players, his coaching staff and also the club management, and he also helped public statements for frowns. “It wasn’t individual sentences from Bisoli that were crucial, it wasn’t the relationship with the club, which was definitely good, but primarily the chemistry between coach and players. I had the feeling that his style no longer reached everyone,” said Bravo in an interview SportNews.

Similar describes FCS managing director Dietmar Pfeifer the situation in the following video interview:



So Bisoli is gone, now what? The successor, Federico Valente, is already ready. “He is not an interim solution,” Bravo clarifies and adds: “The dismissal of Bisoli was not planned, we had to react at short notice. And Valente seems to us to be the best solution.” The Italian-Swiss has already worked in three countries, was under contract with SC Freiburg for four years and knows the FCS from his recent engagement as a U19 coach ( Click here for the trainer portrait). However: Valente has little experience in the adult sector and only knows Serie B as an outside observer.

That's why Valente was chosen

Now he should maneuver FC Südtirol into calmer waters and secure their membership in the second division. A risky choice? This question has SportNews them Technical director Hannes Fink who played a key role in Valente's promotion. “Of course it’s not without risk, but that would probably be any coaching decision. Valente now knows the club, he has a clear idea of ​​football and the personality to unite players and get them involved.”