Marco Di Vaio, Bologna’s club manager, recently shared insights into the club’s American management style and his journey from player to executive. In an interview with Radio Tv Serie A con Rds, Di Vaio highlighted the club’s approach and his personal growth in the role.
“The American management of the club is based on trust and well-defined guidelines, which I had already experienced as a player in Montreal,” Di Vaio explained. He added, “Moreover, working closely with figures like Corvino, Sabatini, Bigon, and now Sartori has given me the opportunity to learn from them.”
Reflecting on his transition to a managerial role, Di Vaio admitted to initial challenges: “I was supposed to be a reference point for the players and the club, but honestly, in the first year, I wasn’t ready. It was something I learned over time because I still felt too much like a player at the beginning. Then I changed my mentality and vision of the work.
“Di Vaio emphasized the importance of his sports director course, stating, “I took the sports director course, which helped me not only from a contractual standpoint to work in the club but also professionally.
“The former striker also spoke fondly of his connection with Bologna, describing it as a “second life.” He recalled, “For me, Bologna is a second life because after Genoa, many thought I was finished. I found a club that, having just returned to Serie A, believed in me and gave me the chance to disprove these rumors and gift myself a high-level final part of my career.
“Reminiscing about his playing days, Di Vaio said, “The 2008/2009 season was my year. I had the best season of my life in terms of scoring, losing the top scorer title on the last day by just one goal.”
Di Vaio concluded by praising Bologna’s unique atmosphere: “Bologna is the perfect place for those seeking a second youth in football. It was like that for me, but also for players like Beppe Signori and Roberto Baggio. The city is great to live in; people are very welcoming and respectful, so this mix ensures that anyone who comes here at a certain age can only feel good: it’s the perfect place to live.”
