Luigi Amato: “Carlo Sanchez is our fixed point: with him we build the future of Forio”

After a year that will remain in the history of island football, culminating with the play-off final for access to Serie D, Real Forio is already looking to the future. An exhilarating season, built with passion, planning and daily work, which has led the black and green team to almost reach a goal that was unthinkable only twelve months earlier.

We met with the club president, a central figure in the sporting rebirth of Forio, to take stock of the restart, the confirmation of mister Sanchez, the ambitions for the next Eccellenza championship and the market rumors that have animated the last few weeks. An open-hearted interview, between pride for what has been done, realism for what is to come and a clear look at future challenges - sporting, logistical and environmental.

With the recalled president of Real Forio. Let's try to understand a little about this restart after a historic, wonderful year, full of satisfactions, in a year of restart. But before I talk a little, here, to clarify also what the latest news has been that has been circulating about a possible interest from Real Forio - we'll clarify later - I wanted to ask you: how is Forio restarting for the next Eccellenza championship? " Forio will restart as it has always done: planning the season as best as possible. It won't be easy to repeat ourselves, but today we have to try with all our strength, because I think it's a duty to ourselves and to Forio Calcio. It's important to have another important season. Last year was truly spectacular, historic and difficult to repeat. But we are equipping ourselves and organizing ourselves to try to achieve this goal and try to repeat what we did in the previous season".

As some commentators also said, the planning was rewarded: two years ago, salvation in the last play-out match; this year, a play-off final. Two completely different worlds: from rags to riches. Obviously, they say “appetite comes with eating”, but looking at the laws of football - for example Napoli, which won a championship and then finished in tenth place - it is truly unpredictable. This is exactly how football goes. Football is like this, and your analysis is absolutely correct. It's just that everyone talks about Napoli when they win the championship; we, on the other hand, haven't won the championship yet, so we're playing for the chance to do something important this year too. But in football you never know what can happen, also because it also depends on the opponents. This year there will be other teams that are getting ready. However, as you rightly said, the most important thing is to plan everything in due time and in the best possible way. We are already working for 2025/26, starting with the confirmation of mister Sanchez on our bench. This is already a pillar on which we are building our future".

Sanchez had said: “I don’t want to be in this group anymore, I don’t want to play in this championship anymore”. But now he’s staying in Forio. “I’d like to get into the merits, but I tell you that we did everything we could to change groups. We were looking for alternative solutions, because this is a group where there are situations that we don’t like and that, frankly, don’t belong in football. We would have gladly avoided them. Unfortunately, as of today, I don’t think that’s a feasible thing. But, in any case, the certainty is that Sanchez will be our coach, whatever the group. The coach is staying with us, regardless. We also expressed our desire to change groups, but these are logistical issues and territorial competence. They explained to us that, for now, the situation remains this way. Then we’ll see: maybe there will be a single draw, or two groups… these are dynamics that the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti will decide”.

There is still a lot to say, but Sanchez's confirmation is the first piece. It allows us to plan the start of the season in advance. Remember that last year you started on August 5th. Will you be early again this year? Another unwritten rule of football says that a coach cannot stay on the same bench for too long. This year, however, he started with a solid squad, and in December-January the winter market brought some additions, but the base remained. " These are things that the coach will decide together with the sports management. It is normal, however, that we will maintain a solid base of reliable players for next season too. We will try to bring in important players from the mainland or from other places, depending on the opportunities. At the moment everything is at an embryonic level. The only certainty is the confirmation of the coach. From this starting point we can begin to plan with the sports management what the future of Forio will be".

Confirmation of the coach and the staff? “This is an aspect that we still have to define. The indication could be that, but it is a decision that will be taken together with the coach and the sports management. For now, only the coach has been confirmed. We will start from there”.

Sanchez's confirmation broadens the base of the Forio pyramid. It allows us to look to the future with serenity, with a person who knows the environment well and is well-liked. " Absolutely. It was essential to have some solid points. The coach is now an integral part of the island's culture. He is an empathetic person, and this facilitates the relationship with the territory, the fans and the staff. It is one of the main reasons that pushed us to reconfirm him, in addition of course to his technical and tactical qualities, which everyone was able to appreciate on the field. Forio, as you recalled, went from a play-out to a regional final, playing games like a great team. We must give credit to the coach, because in the end, beyond the chatter, the players go on the field and how they go is decided by the technical staff".

Were you able to switch off after the final against Real Normanna? “To tell you the truth, no. The next day I started making phone calls, making reflections, making assessments. Clubs that wanted to understand if I was still convinced to stay in Forio or if I intended to move. I didn’t have time to switch off, but there will be an opportunity”.

There was a moment when it seemed you could get close to Ischia Calcio. We also talked about it in our paper edition. Was there ever contact?“ Look, Gaetano, I am speaking to you with the utmost honesty. I have great respect and esteem for Pino and for Ischia Calcio. There is an excellent relationship with Pino. We respect each other. Having said that, I will tell you the truth : I have never had any contact with him or with Ischia Calcio. Not even an informal chat. This is why I wanted to publish a statement: in a delicate moment like this, it is not right to create false expectations, neither towards the fans nor towards the squares. I have always said that I would have stayed in Forio, I repeat. Even if there had been contact, I would still have shown respect towards Ischia. Instead, I repeat: no one has ever asked me for anything, no club. Now, with the confirmation of the coach, the Forio 25/26 project has officially started. I wish Ischia Calcio the best of luck: I hope it finds stability and can plan for the medium-long term. Stopgap solutions are of no use to anyone”.

Have you visited the new “Calise” Stadium and the new grandstand? What impression did it make on you? “ Beautiful. It moved me. As soon as I entered I had a very strong impact: the grandstand is a little dream come true. From there you can also see the sea: beautiful. The black and green colors are back as protagonists. Even for you insiders it will be a relief not to have to use the umbrella for filming! We have grown in this aspect too. I spoke with the mayor Stani Verde, who assured me of full availability. Soon there will also be news for the turf. We thank the administration for having given us a beautiful home, which will become even more beautiful. Now it's up to us to do our part”.

Last year you had Panza as your second home. Will it be like that again this year? “Yes, absolutely. This week we spoke with President Zingaretti, who assured us that the Panza pitch will be approved for Promotion and Excellence. Mindful of last year’s experience, we have planned a plan B in case the work at Calise continues. We also have the option of Ischia: we will ask our “cousins” for hospitality for a few games if necessary, to allow the work to be completed. On this point too, the administration is giving us a concrete hand”.

Real Normanna continues to win. Is it better for a Campania team to go up to Serie D? “Absolutely yes. If a big Campania team goes up to Serie D, there will be one less competitor. Although I think that next year new realities will emerge, like a new Normanna or other teams ready to do battle. Let's wish Real Normanna the best of luck. It would be nice to say that we went out in the playoffs against the team that won everything. And there is also an emotional bond: mister Sanchez coached there. So let's cross our fingers for these last two games!”