Marco Ferrante is the new general manager of Ischia Calcio

Management summits, summer meetings and a machine that restarts. Ischia Calcio confirms its project and relaunches. While waiting for the conclusion of the last season, closed with salvation with two days to go in the championship and with participation in Serie D conquered for the third consecutive time, the yellow and blue team gets moving, putting aside the uncertainties of late May that had concerned the future of the company.

The meeting in the past few days between president Pino Taglialatela and patron Lello Carlino, who returned to base to ensure the club's financial stability, was positive and the work behind closed doors was intense. Away from the spotlight and prying eyes, the island club has laid the foundations for a new year in the fourth national series. Last Sunday's summit on the boat, while the Under 16 team secured the provincial trophy on dry land, was decisive for both parties, who also had the opportunity to discuss matters with the next general manager.

MARCO FERRANTE NEW GENERAL MANAGER Ischia has resolved its reservations and is aiming for a new figure, called to act as a link between the sporting side and the club. After weeks of contacts and evaluations, Taglialatela and Carlino have completed a first incoming move. The owners have announced the new DG, central to the new structure, identified following a careful selection process. Marco Ferrante has embraced the yellow and blue cause: manager, agent and former footballer, playing as a striker, the 1971-born player is remembered for his incredible spell with the Torino shirt (among the top five scorers in the history of the Granata team). Away from the pitch, he has gained various experiences: in the 2010/11 season he joined the Monza staff as a technical assistant; in 2012 he took the course to become sporting director in Coverciano.

In June 2019 he was announced as the new general manager of Messina. At the beginning of 2021, Savoia made his transfer to Campania official in the role of technical director. The last stints were with Albenga and Chieri. “I am happy with this new role, we will certainly do a very professional and interesting job – says Ferrante – Regarding the coach, we are studying some profiles that can marry with the philosophy of the club. One of these has already emerged but this does not mean that he is the new yellow and blue coach. In the next few days, we will have the certainty of the new technical guide”.

ALESSIO MARTINO IN POLE POSITION FOR THE YELLOW-BLUE BENCH Taglialatela, in agreement with Carlino, has chosen Ferrante as DG to be included in the team. On Friday morning there was a meeting in Ischia, which the future coach apparently also attended. The club seems to have veered towards Alessio Martino, former technical guide of Gelbison, Gladiator and Termoli. Born in '83, the coach has a modern vision of football, is skilled at working with young people and is good at building compact groups.

Martino is known for a dynamic tactical approach and his ability to enhance emerging talents. His profile was preferred to other names with more experience, demonstrating the club's desire to focus on planning and continuity. If the announcement has arrived for Ferrante, for the new coach we have to wait for the definition of some details to arrive at the white smoke of the negotiation. In the meantime, Ischia is starting its mosaic in view of the next championship.

Ferrante has clear ideas and has already illustrated them to Taglialatela and Carlino. His prototype team is there, as is the structure to give to the group. The focus will be, as anticipated in recent days, on a young and dynamic team, to also favor economic balance. An idea, that of the DG, which has found full support from the owner, who has returned to the helm to give his concrete help to the former goalkeeper. The work between the parties has been going on for some time, but the first obligation of the company remains to complete the payment of the last month's dues.

Ischia is ready to close this chapter too, then it will focus on the registration and the construction of the squad. The rumor of the 4-3-3, as anticipated a few days ago, is increasingly confirmed, but for the names we will have to wait a little longer. The yellow and blues will start again from an important backbone, formed by the Ischia block that will answer yes to the call of Taglialatela.

THE HARD CORE OF ISCHIA AND THE POSSIBLE GREETING OF PEPPE MATTERA Then we will move on to the rest. Part of the management and technical staff appreciate the qualities of the various young players in the island team. Every discussion, however, remains open and purchases are expected in the various departments. From defense to midfield, passing through the attack: there will be notable changes, also by virtue of the usual rule on the under to be used during the ninety minutes. As mentioned, the hard core will have to give continuity to the sense of belonging and transmit the spirit to the new arrivals. The only reflection still in progress concerns Peppe Mattera.

The centre-back, one of the protagonists of the salvation obtained a few weeks ago, could say goodbye to the troops a year after his arrival. Real Forio, who has been following his tracks for some time, could be the ideal destination for a number of reasons. In fact, Ischia will request inclusion in Group G of Serie D and this would represent a factor that would keep the player away from home and off-field commitments. The move to the Biancoverdi, however, would be welcomed by the Ischian club, also by virtue of the excellent working relationship between Taglialatela and Amato. The two presidents, in fact, are experiencing a moment of understanding and cooperation, respecting their roles and respective needs.

DECISIVE WEEKS In the meantime, the anticipation is growing among the fans, eager to see the first new faces and to understand the identity of the team to come. The bond with the square remains a central element: Ischia Calcio knows well how much the warmth of the “Mazzella” counts and how essential it is to strengthen the trust of its people through transparency, passion and concrete results. We will start again from more solid foundations and, although the journey is still long, the feeling is that this time we really want to build something lasting.

The time for doubts seems to be behind us: now is the time for choices. The next few weeks will be crucial to complete the puzzle, between confirmations, new arrivals and, above all, clear ideas. The goal, never hidden, is to maintain the category but trying to do so with a credible, young and sustainable football proposal. Ischia is there. And it wants to make the heart of its island beat again.