Matteo Marani is the new president of the Lega Pro. The 52-year-old journalist from Bologna was elected during the Assembly held at the Salone d'Onore of the Italian National Olympic Committee, in Rome, and replaces Francesco Ghirelli. With 39 votes, Marani defeated the other candidate, Marcel Vulpis, who received 15 votes: there were two blank ballots and the same number of null ballots. Marani, who in the course of his career has collaborated with various national newspapers, has also been director of the Guerin Sportivo and Sky Sport 24, as well as deputy director of Sky Sport. Since 2020, he has also been president of the Football Museum Foundation, after having been its vice-president.

"The assembly of Lega Pro was a great show of democracy in a complicated moment for Italian football," explained FIGC president Gabriele Gravina. "An important body such as Lega Pro is regaining stability very quickly. Matteo is a person with many qualities, fundamental for making the right contribution to change and for this cultural revolution that continues." 

During his presidency, Marani will be supported by former Azzurri footballer Gianfranco Zola (who made 35 appearances for the Italian national team, scoring 10 goals) and Giovanni Spezzaferri as vice-presidents.