Talk about making an entrance! Italian football has a new face in charge, and she’s just 23 years old. Claudia Rizzo now stands at the helm of Ternana, an Italian Serie C club, which is the country’s third division. This isn’t just a big job; it’s a groundbreaking moment for the sport.
Her father, Gian Luigi Rizzo, a businessman with significant investments in the healthcare sector, recently purchased the club. With the ownership in the family, the opportunity arose for Claudia to step into this powerful role. Her appointment makes her the only woman leading a professional football club in all of Italy.
Claudia wasted no time setting the tone during a press conference in Terni. She made it clear she’s focused on results. “I would like to be a woman of action and not of words,” she told reporters. “I hope to be an example for many women in sports and in life in general.” Her voice carried both excitement and a sense of gravity. “There are a thousand emotions,” she admitted, “it is an honor and a great responsibility.” She added that while her family has clear goals for the club, her primary focus is to “support the team.”
She confessed that the idea of becoming president came as a surprise. “I have always been a big fan of the club,” she explained, “and during the negotiations, the idea of becoming president came up.” She acknowledged the scale of the challenge but saw it as a unique chance. “It is a huge commitment, but it seemed like a great opportunity.” To help guide her, Massimo Ferrero, the former president of Sampdoria, will join the club as a consultant for sports development. This experienced presence brings her a lot of comfort. “The fact that I have people who have already experienced this world by my side makes me much more calm,” she shared. “This means that I will be able to count on experienced collaborators committed to the cause.”
