Marco Ferrante: "We've signed a striker from a Europa League club."
Ischia Calcio is restarting with great ambition but also with its feet firmly on the ground. After a challenging season and a summer filled with uncertainty, the club has decided to turn the page, appointing Marco Ferrante as general manager.
In this extensive interview, Ferrante recounts his first impressions of the island environment, the quiet work behind the scenes to build a competitive team, the value of the staff, and, above all, the importance of the youth academy. A candid and direct conversation, featuring plenty of personal insights, behind-the-scenes details of his professional career, and the announcement of a major transfer from a top-tier European club. With significant experience at clubs such as Monza, Messina, Savoia, Albenga, and Chieri, Ferrante presents a clear vision: to build a credible Ischia, tough to compete with, but deeply rooted in its identity and its territory.
Welcome to Director Marco Ferrante. After the presentation, let's try to understand a little more. Director, first of all: what happened with Messina? "We had discussions with Messina again this year. He was absent the first year, then there were negotiations underway, but in the end they didn't work out. It happened last year too. I repeat, he's not here today, but I don't want to name names. Regardless of the player's quality, I can say—without presumption—that I've signed a different player, perhaps even stronger, who comes from a Serie A club abroad. I know him very well: he's a stud, exactly the kind of player we wanted. I'm not tearing my hair out over a deal that didn't work out... especially because I don't have any!"
We saw you announced the young Gille. "Yes, he's a player I know very well. He's a playmaker, but he can also play as a midfielder. He has great basic technique, a good two-touch player: he's the kind of player who, in my opinion, doesn't belong in this category, but rather one or two categories higher. This year should be his breakthrough season, the one that allows him to aspire to the big stage. We hope, however, that he can stay with us as long as possible. I've known him for a long time: we even had him at Messina, when he was still an under-18, very young and obviously already with interesting characteristics. He's French, and he's certainly an excellent player."
From what I understand, will there be several foreigners in this new Ischia? "There will be approximately three or four. I have great respect for foreigners, as long as they're good. I don't choose a player just because he attracts an audience or has a big name: I'm not that kind of manager. For me, technical and human qualities are what count first and foremost: I want strong players, but also serious guys who respect the rules. Only in this way can we achieve the goal we've set ourselves. I'll tell you confidentially that they will arrive: a key defender, a truly strong one. Then two or three attacking players, and even someone in midfield who can support Gille. Without forgetting that we already have a solid backbone, including several locals: the team is built around them. We're looking for the missing players without anxiety, but with care, both in Italy and abroad. They must be functional to the cause."
In all of this, of course, there is also the collaboration and shared vision with Alessio Martino, which you have made official. "Definitely, because I'm a somewhat atypical manager. I don't choose players just because I like them: there needs to be constant dialogue between all parties, especially if we want to achieve an ambitious goal. I work closely with the manager, even regarding the formation he intends to use. With his support—video, field observations, and knowledge of the local area—we work to identify players suited to what he wants to bring to the table. For me, the "formation" (the playing system) shouldn't be fixed or rigid: it's not just about lining up with a shameless 4-3-3. A manager's skill also lies in knowing how to read the game in progress and how to change formations depending on the opponent. Switching to a 3-5-2, a 4-2-3-1, or even a 5-3-2, for example: this is part of modernity. And I think the manager, from this point of view, is very well-prepared.
That's why we're looking for versatile players, not just pure wingers, but also players who can adapt to play as a second striker, drop back, or switch positions. The key word is versatility. This is Ischia's mentality this year."
I wanted to ask you a question that may seem a bit difficult, but it helps clarify things. Since you were announced as Ischia's general manager, you've had the opportunity to get to know a mature and complex footballing reality. Ischia has a strong tradition and a knowledgeable fan base. Some have wondered: has Ferrante done well in the past? Look, it's very simple: I started out as a scout, working with an agency that followed many international players. Then we bought Monza together with Clarence Seedorf—I don't remember the exact year—and we played a major championship, focusing on many young players, with the support of AC Milan and Inter Milan. The adventure lasted a year and a half, then Seedorf sold the club. Afterwards, I went to Messina, in the year of the "Comit." We played a high-level championship, but three-quarters of the way through the tournament, it was interrupted—if you remember—due to the chants in Palermo and the situation related to the epidemic. In that context, it was decided to promote the top teams in the groups without finishing the season. Then came the experience at Savoia, where we played a great championship in Group G. We finished third and reached the playoffs, but lost the final to Latina: we drew away, and thanks to their better finish, they advanced. Afterwards, came the call from Albenga, in the Eccellenza league, where I also live nearby, in Finale Ligure. Ligurian. I accepted the challenge, and we won the championship with 11 or 12 consecutive wins at the start: we literally killed the tournament. The following year, in Serie D, we built a strong but low-profile team, a bit like the idea we have for Ischia.
The coach was Fossati, formerly of Genoa, and by mid-season we already had 41 points, tied for first place with one other team. That year, we reached safety with 37 points, so we were well above average. But corporate and financial problems arose: many players left—Branco went to Canada, Bologna to Ternana, Lazio to Livorno—all previously unknown figures but highly valued in Albenga. At that point, I left too: there were no longer any grounds for continuing.
At the end of the season, I helped Chieri, a team in our group. They had been impressed by our 5-0 home win in the first leg. When they called me, they were deep in the play-off zone, and with the last three or four games, we managed to save them. The following year, I started there, but after three games, I left: there were no funds to build a competitive squad. In fact, Chieri, in financial difficulty, lost a lot of players and were relegated in the play-offs. After that experience, I helped with a project in Alessandria, a situation similar to the Verona-Chievo duality: Alessandria had gone bankrupt, and a new team (Luese Cristo Alessandria) wanted to take their place. We built an interesting team and finished third. But Valenzana, a very strong team that had been chasing promotion for years, won by a landslide. Let's say that last year, as a manager, was the year of my consecration."
In football, we remember him for Torino and for one goal in particular, but we won't go into historical details. Instead, I'd like to ask you about the situation you found in Ischia, since we're well aware of the difficulties there. "Look, it's no secret that there are difficulties, including financial ones. It would be pointless to hide it. But I'll tell you how things are, as I did in the press conference: it all started with a chat between friends, between Pino and I, a very honest phone call. We both grew up in Naples, during the Maradona era, and I was also fortunate enough to play alongside him. So there's always been mutual respect, courtesy, and esteem between us. He explained to me the current situation at Ischia, which isn't easy, and I told him: problems exist to be solved. If I can lend a hand, I'm happy to do so. The goal is to build a competitive team, trying to work with intelligence and vision, as I already did in Albenga.
I spent a third of what we spent the previous year there, and we finished first. Sure, the group was different, but the logic remains: make the right decisions about the departments, focus on people before players, people who know how to overcome difficulties through hard work. This is the only medicine I know: training, discipline, and clear guidelines. In Ischia, you need seriousness and expertise. I can bring contacts and knowledge at the national and international level. Ischia is an earthly paradise, it's known everywhere. I'll give you an example: if you're in New York and mention a team in our group, maybe they don't know it. But if you say "Ischia," everyone knows it. This is also an attractive place for investors. I'm working in two directions: building the team and creating the conditions for the possible arrival of someone who can lend a tangible hand. These discussions are already underway with serious and important people.
Throughout all this, Pino is doing an exceptional job. He's an islander, he's deeply attached to this club, and despite the difficulties, he did everything he could to secure his spot. He had the courage and determination to never give up. Now we're trying to build a tough team, without making promises but with great professionalism. Regarding the transfer market, I can tell you that I've already signed seven or eight key players. We're completing the squad intelligently, focusing on players we know well, including some of the local youth. Both Pino and I, as well as the manager and the entire staff, have very clear ideas. In Ischia, no one is more important than anyone else: from the president to the kitman, everyone counts. Without a good kitman, you won't get very far, and this is often underestimated. You need a healthy, united environment, without "enemies at home," to build something good.
Regarding the transfer market, I'll also tell you this: we're about to announce two or three more players. One in particular is a very strong striker, signed from a foreign Serie A club that will be playing in the Europa League this year. It's a great signing. We're completing the paperwork, and it will soon be official. And it's not a given that he'll be the only one arriving: we're working on a sort of partnership with this club, without too much publicity. It's been going on for more than 20-25 days. I repeat: low profile, but clear ideas. We're on the right path. I don't speak much, but I always put my face forward, especially in difficult times. When things go badly, I'm the one to come forward; I don't send anyone else. When we win, it's right that the players and the coach get the applause. That's my philosophy."
I wanted to ask you a few more details about the staff. "Regarding the staff, I can be very frank: the manager hasn't brought either a second assistant or a match analyst. We're working to complete everything, but we already have very valuable resources locally. We have competent island figures, which I won't list today because I'll be in Ischia from July 15th to 22nd and will release the entire official organizational chart at that time. What I can tell you is that we don't necessarily need external staff, because the people already on the island are well-prepared and can give us a huge hand. Pino also confirmed this to me: it's not just about being "from Ischia," but about having the right skills.
I don't hire someone just to fill a role: if they don't bring added value, it doesn't make sense. Instead, by talking to those who are already there, I've been able to verify that they are capable people with a solid track record. So our idea is to leverage these local resources, who know the context and deserve trust."
Let's close this long parenthesis with a question about the youth sector. We've learned that there will be a lot of attention on this front, and that training camps for the lower leagues are starting. How have you seen the young players in Ischia? "Look, first of all, I found a great staff, with very passionate coaches and managers. The first thing I told them was that I will always be very vigilant about the youth sector, because the goal must be to create continuity with the first team over the years. There will be clear guidelines, starting with discipline.
The ideal scenario would be for the Juniores to adopt a tactical structure as similar as possible to that of the first team. This is because, if one day I were to call up a defender, a midfielder, or a striker from the Juniores, I wouldn't want to complicate my life. I've already spoken to the coach, who is a very intelligent and knowledgeable person, and he fully shares this vision. In fact, we also agree on another point: instead of playing friendlies against other teams, we want to play them against our young players. This enhances the youth sector and creates a real connection. Furthermore, it allows us to get to know the players better, and perhaps discover some interesting talents to bring into the group. For me, the squad shouldn't consist of just 24 or 26 players. It should reach 40, including the Juniores and, why not, some promising young players.”
Perfect, then let's wait for the next market news and see you soon in Ischia!
Il Dispari
