Sporting director Matteo Lovisa, managing director Dietmar Pfeifer and technical director Hannes Fink (from left) explained the transfer strategy.

Transfer madness: Why FCS is changing everything

18 new signings and 16 departures: FC Südtirol's first transfer window under their new sporting director was even more spectacular than expected. On Wednesday, the club's key representatives explained the new direction in detail and also defended themselves against emerging criticism.

September 02, 2026

From the FCS Center in Rungg

FC Schaffhausen called a press conference in Rungg to explain the club's change of course to the public in more detail. On deadline day, two of their most important attacking players of recent years, Daniele Casiraghi and Silvio Merkaj, were sold. Some fans were particularly baffled by Merkaj's departure to newly promoted Vicenza, as he had started in both of the team's matches so far this season, which yielded four points, and even scored a goal.

"Merkaj's contract was due to expire next year. We couldn't agree on an extension. That's why we wanted to sell him for a profit. We needed him in the first few games of the season because the new strikers weren't quite ready yet. But it was our plan from the beginning to let Merkaj go. Overall, I'm satisfied with the transfer window," Lovisa explained regarding the departure of the Albanian, who was emblematic of FCS's style of play.

Pfeifer, Fink and Lovisa explain the way

At the start of the press conference, Managing Director Dietmar Pfeifer explained the chosen path in more detail: "After last season and the relegation playoff, it was clear to us that a restructuring and rejuvenation process was necessary. And that applies to all levels. This new path requires patience. In any case, I think that Lovisa and Hannes Fink have done a great job this summer." A total of 34 transfers took place.

"After the relegation play-off, it was clear to us that a restructuring and rejuvenation process was necessary." Managing Director Dietmar Pfeifer

Fink and Pfeifer also congratulated Raphael Kofler on his Serie A debut for Cagliari against Inter, which they considered a great success for FC Südtirol as well. "This speaks volumes for our approach. Elias Schrott, who made his Serie B debut on Sunday, wasn't brought on for nothing, for example, but because coach Davide Possanzini is convinced of his abilities. Mistakes are part of the process. Kofler also had to endure a lot of criticism at the beginning," said Fink.

The technical director explicitly praised Lovisa's work: "He really works day and night." The 30-year-old himself also defended the rejuvenation process: "It's always said that Italian football needs change. When you then rely on young players in reality, that's not always right either. But I can live with that. I'm fully convinced. Age doesn't play a role for me in transfers." The four new potential center forwards, for example, have an average age of 21,5 years.

A completely new hierarchy in the cabin

When asked by a journalist whether the hierarchy in the locker room had been disrupted by the departure of some players, Lovisa had a clear answer: "With Giorgini, Tait, Molina, Plizzari, Bjarkasson, and Varnier, we still have enough leaders in the squad. Ultimately, the players on the field have to set the tone and be able to keep up the pace. Many of the previous players had reached the end of their careers. The style of play in recent years has taken a lot out of them."

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Furthermore, Lovisa doesn't want to build the new FC Südtirol solely on striker goals. Last year, the Red and Whites relied on goals from Merkaj and Emanuele Pecorino. Now, more attacking threat is expected to come from midfield, with goals shared among several players. FCS will have to do without returning player Niklas Pyyhtiä for the next few weeks, as his Achilles tendon injury likely means he won't be available again until October.

"With Giorgini, Tait, Molina, Plizzari, Bjarkasson and Varnier we still have enough leaders in the squad." Sporting director Matteo Lovisa

At the end of the press conference, Lovisa also praised his club: "I have to thank them for the trust they've placed in me. It's a fantastic environment here, especially for young players. The training center is ideal for development." Lovisa had repeatedly read that he often recruited players from his former club, Juve Stabia. He wanted to set the record straight. "I only brought Giorgini directly from Juve Stabia. The other new signings weren't under contract there. In any case, it can certainly help us that some of them have already played together." After all, the squad overhaul was massive.