The president leaves after four years at the helm of the Belluno with the conviction that the Dolomiti Belluno merger “is the only viable way to aim high”
Unforgettable years. Alberto Lazzari has been the president of Belluno for the last four seasons and, among many ups and downs, he has had to face many difficulties that he will certainly never be able to forget. In his mandates Lazzari found himself exonerating three coaches in as many seasons and this year he also had to manage the covid emergency. But this was precisely the year that brought him the most satisfaction.
«The best memory I take away from these years is the season that has just ended», says Lazzari, «I honestly didn’t expect such a positive championship. There was great harmony both in the team and in society and things went very well. The most negative memory? Surely the year of the playouts was one of suffering, but in sport there can also be years like this. Then in the end the satisfaction of salvation arrived and that too was a beautiful day even if very painful ».
After those ten months ended with the playout against St Georgen someone said that the team was now boiled and to be changed. You and the club, on the other hand, had no doubts in focusing on the hard core of the team.
«We have always been linked to this group which in all these years has always paid off. A bad season can be there but we have never had any doubts about the value of our players, both on the human side and as players. They gave the answer we wanted and expected ».
As president he faced the most difficult years between exemptions, playouts and covids.
«I would like to say that I was not bored», Lazzari continues with a smile, «in the end, however, I had a lot of personal satisfaction. Maintaining a D series for so many years is not at all obvious and this must be taken into consideration. The club has been very good ».
Can you tell us how the merger idea was born?
“For me it was like a bolt from the blue. Everything started between the end of April and the beginning of May and everything went very quickly. To maintain certain levels of football in Belluno it was almost a duty to combine these clubs. In recent years, when I have had the opportunity, I have always said that we hoped for the entry of new advisors and economic forces in the yellow and blue to move forward; but in the end they have always remained the same with the support of Ital-Lenti. New forces have never arrived and it was impossible to continue going on alone at these levels ».
The merger seemed obvious with the San Giorgio for its proximity and good relations between the neighborhood. But then the union will also be with the Feltre companies …
«But the idea started right from Feltre», explains Lazzari, «a merger of only two teams would have been half done and would have had less ambition. By uniting the forces of three realities in the province, it will be possible to aim at having more lasting ambitions ».
What will be the goal?
«The idea is to try to go to C. Making a merger to stay in D would not make sense. First of all we need to build the new society well and then improve the structures. You don’t want to go up temporarily but try to stay with the professors for a long time ».
Many fans have expressed disappointment and doubts about this new reality …
«I understand their point of view well but we had to do this to bring football to a certain level in the province. We will have to be good at making it understood. I am sure that, if the results arrive, the fans will understand too ».
The freshman with which you will enter the team in Serie D will be that of Union Feltre. Why?
“Using that felt pad guaranteed we could speed things up for a variety of reasons. On the other hand, we are calm about the prizes of the Giovani D Valore. We heard from the federation and they explained to us that both Belluno and Union Feltre will collect the prizes ».
Denis Chiesa is rehearsing with Reggiana, with whom he would have the opportunity to go to Lega Pro. Are there any concrete possibilities?
«On these issues I am always very cautious, as I am also when it comes to the market, as long as there is no signature I prefer to be cautious. The interest in the boy is there, he has already gone to train twice. I hope for him this possibility arrives ».
Have you started the talks with the players?
«Not yet, we are late but I think we will start this week. The coach? We focus on Renato Lauria but we have to talk to each other, marriages are made in two ».
Are you looking for a figure that can be both general manager and sports director?
«Finding who can do both would be the top; we’ll see what happens”.giacomo luchetta