Genoa Cricket and Football Club: The Passion, History, and Ambitions of Italy’s Oldest Club

Genoa Cricket and Football Club, Italy’s oldest club, recently celebrated its 130th year with a victory over Bologna, securing an 11th place finish in Serie A. Despite a troubled past, the club’s American owners, 777 Partners, believe their project is successful and sustainable. Chief executive Andres Blazquez aims to return Genoa to European competition within the next two seasons. Since joining Genoa as sporting director, Marco Ottolini has witnessed the passionate support of the club, with young and old fans alike expressing their love for the team. Ottolini has been instrumental in restructuring the squad and appointing Alberto Gilardino as head coach, a decision that has paid off with promotion from Serie B. The well-recruited squad has attracted attention from top clubs, with several players garnering interest. The club’s sporting project focuses on a mix of young talents and experienced players to create a strong team. Genoa’s location in the beautiful city of Genoa, known as “La Superba,” adds to its appeal for players. The intention for the upcoming summer is to retain key players and make strategic signings before the start of pre-season. Genoa also plans to increase its visibility through initiatives, such as an Amazon Prime documentary and collaborations with artists like Rita Ora. The club is also looking to develop its stadium to meet Uefa category four criteria and potentially host games during Euro 2032. As Genoa continues to grow and celebrate more milestones, its dedicated fans will continue to show their unwavering support.