By Marta Elena Casanova
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The exclusions of Taranto and Turris from the 2025 Serie C championship, and the major problems of Lucchese, on the brink of bankruptcy, are not only bad news for the fans and their respective cities. They are the signal that the system must be changed. The third tier of Italian football can no longer afford to be the weak link, constantly caught between amateurism and professionalism. Now, a reform exists – and it bears the name of someone who knows all about chasing dreams: Gianfranco Zola.
The exclusions: another wake-up call
The failure of Taranto and Turris to register reignited the debate around the economic sustainability of Serie C. Unpaid salaries, chaotic finances, crumbling stadiums — every summer, the same script plays out, with clubs vanishing from the map, only to reappear in Serie D, if they’re lucky. And every time, the same question is asked: how can a professional league operate under such fragile conditions?
Zola reform: turning Serie C into a future lab
The “Zola Reform”, presented at the end of 2024 and active from the 2025–2026 season, is a silent but ambitious revolution. Pushed forward by Lega Pro Vice President Gianfranco Zola, the reform aims to transform Serie C into the beating heart of Italian football. No longer just a stepping-stone league, but a workshop of talent, a forge of ideas, a stage for the football of tomorrow.
At the core of the project are three key principles: youth, training, and sustainability. Three seemingly simple concepts that, combined, could redefine the future of the entire movement.
Youth academy incentives: betting on homegrown players pays double
The reform’s real game changer is this: financially rewarding clubs that invest in homegrown players. Starting this season, clubs fielding academy-trained players will receive up to 400% more in financial bonuses than under the old system. It’s a bold and historic move.
But it’s not just about money — it’s about identity. By 2029, every club must have at least eight players in their squad who were raised through their own youth system. Eight kids who know the jersey, the city, the fans. Eight faces to build a project on, not just a lineup.
For years, people have said Italian football doesn’t give young players a chance. That talents leave for abroad, that our academies are full of unfulfilled promises. Now, Serie C is taking responsibility — and it’s doing so from the ground up.
Zola’s words: “The number tens of the future will come through here”
Gianfranco Zola is not just the face of the reform. He’s its heart. “Without Serie C, I would never have had the career I did,” the former playmaker said. “I wanted to do something real for the youth, and today we can say we’re making it happen. The hope is that, in the coming years, future number tens of the national team will come from this league.”
Early results are promising: already this season, over 70% of clubs have fielded at least one player from their youth sector. Playing time for academy players has increased noticeably, and scouts from higher divisions are once again watching Serie C closely.
It’s time to realize that building a solid future isn’t a cost — it’s an investment. And perhaps, right out of these difficulties, the Italian football of tomorrow will be born.
By Marta Elena Casanova
