A sale of FC Südtirol? Now the managing director speaks

The high financial hurdles have now been overcome, but a number of rumors and speculations remain. Is a sale of the club on the cards? What is possible Red Bull interest? And what about the South Tyrolean identity at the FCS? Managing director Dietmar Pfeifer provides very clear answers and at the same time says: “In Austria we would play for the European Cup places.”

FC Südtirol should continue to be a “South Tyrolean” club. FCS managing director Dietmar Pfeifer emphasizes this before the start of the historic premiere season in Serie B, which begins in less than two weeks. The White-Reds are tackling the 2nd league with a budget of almost 14 million euros. Teams like Genoa, Parma and Cagliari are planning 2 to 60 million each. “We have already shown that we can get more out of a comparatively smaller budget.” A budget of almost 14 million euros Compared to the last third division season, the FCS budget has almost tripled, mainly thanks to television money in Serie B (around 6 million euros), but financing the newly minted second division team was still an enormous challenge. “We had expected difficulties, but I didn’t imagine it would be so difficult,” explains Pfeifer. “With its annual budget, FC Südtirol would be number 5 in the Austrian Bundesliga behind Salzburg, Rapid, Sturm Graz and Austria Vienna and would perhaps play for the European Cup places. In Serie B last season, only Cittadella and Cosenza were under our budget this year,” says Pfeifer.

The fact that Italy's second division became stronger again this season after the relegations of Genoa, Cagliari and Venezia as well as the promotion of Bari, with the De Laurentiis family at the helm, and Palermo, which now has the same owners as Manchester City, is one Fact. “We would have no problem finding a buyer.” FCS managing director Dietmar Pfeifer The FCS still sees itself as prepared. “Parma ended up in 12th place behind Cittadella last season with the largest annual budget in Serie B,” said Pfeifer. “So it can also be done with comparatively modest means. Cittadella's secret to success is not just the quiet environment. It's about optimizing income and expenses. The financial resources must not dry up,” emphasized the FCS managing director, who has been there since 2006 and is entering his 17th season with the white-reds.

“Where do I see FC Südtirol in 5 years? Staying in Serie B – that has to be the goal. If the FCS can establish itself in the second Italian league, then it will have achieved an outstanding performance. Financially, Series B remains a huge challenge. We need to find ways to consolidate our place in Serie B,” said Pfeifer.

Selling the club is not an issue. “As I know our owners and shareholders, a sale is not an option. FC Südtirol has deep roots in our country. That is one of our strengths. The companies behind FC Südtirol want FC Südtirol to remain what it is - the club of our country. We remain true to our philosophy,” emphasized Pfeifer. According to Pfeifer, there would be no shortage of potential buyers. “If we were to put FC Südtirol up for sale, we wouldn’t have to wait long. We would have no problem finding a buyer. There are plenty of companies from abroad who would like to acquire a debt-free, financially sound, solid and up-and-coming club. Then the FCS would no longer be the FCS,” Pfeifer clarified. “Contacts with Red Bull? We exchange ideas with Salzburg and Leipzig. But we also do that with Leverkusen. “I don’t know that Red Bull wants to buy FC Südtirol,” the FCS managing director had to smile.

In the Serie B shark tank, which is teeming with foreign investors worth millions, the FCS will remain in South Tyrolean hands – at least in the near future. And you want to proudly present the beauties of the country. From October onwards, two huge banners from the South Tyrol umbrella brand will be positioned behind the two goals in the Drusus Stadium in Bolzano, which are intended to provide a visual appeal due to the lack of stadium curves in the arena. After all, all FC Südtirol games in the Italian lower house of football will be broadcast live in 2 nations worldwide.

Serie B Italy	SP	TV	P
1. Parma	33	59:32	69
2. As	33	49:35	64
3. Venice	33	60:38	61
4. Cremonese	33	43:28	59
5. Catanzaro	33	53:42	55
6. Palermo	33	58:48	51
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A sale of FC Südtirol? Now the managing director speaks

Those responsible at FC Südtirol found it more difficult than expected to manage the budget for the premiere season in Serie B. The FCS Center makes no secret of this.

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