Sticchi Damiani: "My Lecce is something to love."

Lecce departs for their training camp in Bressanone today, preparing for the new competitive season in Trentino-Alto Adige. In preparation for the new season, we interviewed president Saverio Sticchi Damiani. We discussed a wide range of topics with the Salento club's top representative.

This August will be your ninth season as president, and your eleventh since joining the company. What do you see when you look back and what do you see when you look forward?

"We have a journey behind us that is perhaps unique in that we started in Serie C and, without relying on economic giants, thus always having to operate with a very low margin of error, we have reached Serie A and will be playing there for the fourth consecutive time, a milestone never achieved before in the club's history. Looking ahead, however, I see great excitement, not only within the club itself, but also around us, in the wider environment, in the broadest sense of the word. Key steps such as the renovation and roofing of the stadium, the construction of a fully owned sports center, and the creation of our own store have strengthened the awareness of our continued growth among our passionate followers."

Is it possible to identify a symbolic moment in the path taken by Lecce in recent years?

"It's about consolidating in Serie A. In Serie C, unfortunately, we live almost day-to-day, a way of operating that's light years away from our mentality. In Serie B, you can plan in the short term. In the top division, however, the scenarios change completely, and by staying in the division for several seasons, we can move towards medium- to long-term planning, the only way to give the club solidity. This has been possible thanks to the growth of all the club's strategic areas, but especially thanks to the exponential growth of the technical department since Pantaleo Corvino's arrival five years ago."

Is there anything in the past eight seasons that, in hindsight, you wouldn't do again?

I hold dear everything that has come my way because the decisions we've made have always been based on respect for the fans and transparency, two aspects we will never compromise. Things can go well or not so well, but even from what didn't work, we've learned lessons that have allowed us to progress.

What season are you expecting?

Di Francesco, whom I've always held in high esteem, has been working on well-defined tactical codes since day one. The approach is clear and precise. The team's construction takes this into account. I see complete harmony with the coaching staff. This means that Lecce will operate on the pitch according to precise principles. There are no misunderstandings or hybrids. Who knows, perhaps there will be some nice surprises in terms of the quality of the game. As for the fans, the hope is that this fourth consecutive season in Serie A, a completely unprecedented one, will be experienced with joy, as well as with the great passion that characterizes our people.

Will permanence be the goal?

"Both myself and the technical director, Corvino, have already made it clear. Staying in Serie A is equivalent to winning our Scudetto. Even reaching that goal again on the final day would be a great thing. The great motivation is to beat our own record and reach a fifth consecutive season in Serie A. We'd all like to achieve such a prestigious goal without suffering, but that won't be the case; it will be incredibly tough because we'll be competing against owners who are richer than us, or simply more indebted. Staying grounded in reality helps you grow; proclamations and slogans won't get you anywhere."

The market has become a sort of chess game in which possible outgoing trades heavily influence incoming ones. Where are you at?

The policy we've pursued in recent years, focusing almost exclusively on our own players, allows us to approach the transfer market without any worries. If we'd opted for loans, however, we'd be in trouble, because we'd have to build a new team. In the meantime, we've already added Kouassi, Camarda, and Perez to the squad, players we believe in deeply. There are some players who, after giving so much to Lecce, never holding back or holding back, aspire to take the next step in their careers, and we believe it's right to accommodate them, even at the cost of losing something compared to the market value they objectively deserve. However, if these players were to stay, we'd be very happy to have them with us, and I expect they will be too.

Are there any negotiations underway?

So far, the transfer market hasn't really taken off. Yet I'm convinced that the men in question, given their caliber and depth, deserve to be closely monitored at this stage, when the most important signings are needed. Instead, nothing concrete has happened. I don't understand why it seems strange in Italy to pay Lecce such sums for the most prominent players, only to then bring them back to Serie A from abroad. Hjulmand's example perfectly captures my point. We sold him to Sporting Lisbon because there weren't any clubs here willing to pay him what he was worth. Now he could return to Serie A at a much higher price.

Kouassi, Camarda, and Perez, the three new faces who have arrived so far, are young. Is this a decision driven by the club's desire to capitalize on potential future transfers?

"That's not the case. We wanted them in the squad because we believe in their potential and we think they can make a significant contribution to our cause, both now and in the future. Their young age isn't a disadvantage; it could actually prove to be an advantage. Furthermore, we won't necessarily sign only young or promising players. The important thing is that they fit into our technical and tactical plan and can help Lecce achieve our desired sporting goal."

Since the current owners took over the club, Unione Sportiva has made great strides. What further progress do you expect?

"Recently, we've focused primarily on growing our structures. In the near future, the new challenge will be the club's digital transformation. We have a lot to do. We're looking at new technologies, but we're staying true to our passion for football."

The season ticket campaign kicks off today. What are your expectations?

The fans care about Lecce. We have informed them with the utmost transparency about the situation surrounding the stadium renovation and the minor inconveniences they could face, in the worst-case scenario. We believe they won't discourage the Giallorossi fans from supporting the team.

Can you confirm that, upon returning from the retreat, Lecce will train in the new sports center under construction?

I don't know if this will happen as soon as the staff and players return from Bressanone or a few days later. The first pitch and locker rooms will be ready in August, while the second pitch will be completed between September and October. This will be a historic date for us. It's crucial that fans can see firsthand that we don't talk nonsense, that we plan ahead and honor the commitments we make. Even in the short term. The relationship of trust between the club and the fans is also strengthened through these signs.

Having overcome the hurdle of appealing to the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) against the awarding of the contract for the first phase of the works, will the renovation and roofing of the stadium be a smooth process?

"The process isn't under our club's direct control, but we're confident it will proceed within the expected timeframe. This is a train we can't afford to miss."

Today, Lecce will leave for Bressanone, where they will remain in training camp until August 4th. Are you planning to visit the coaching staff and players?

"I've always done it in the past few years. I hope to be able to balance my professional commitments with the opportunity to be present for two or three days at the training camp. I'd also like to do the same with the Primavera 1 team, including a visit to Cotronei."