Message from
Michele Centenaro

So much has changed in the past year. As I write this, the world around me looks completely different to the day the 2019/20 season kicked off, in what seems a lifetime ago.

It has also been a year deep rooted in change for me at a personal level. In February 2020, I took the decision to step down from the role of ECA General Secretary, a position I had held for 12 years. To leave the ECA Administration was not a decision I took lightly but I am delighted to continue to work with ECA in a new capacity, transitioning from administrator to an Independent Member of the Executive Board.

The time for change was right for both myself and the Association. After the successes we have achieved over the course of more than a decade, it was time to allow for new operational leadership to drive the next phase of the organisation.

It has been an incredible journey since 2008, leading ECA from its birth to truly establish it as a respected player in the international football landscape, key to driving the football of tomorrow. When the Association was formed, it was crucial to give the clubs a voice and to fight for their cause. I think we did exactly that.

The growth rate has been exponential, and our achievements have been incomparable: we introduced the Club Protection Programme with FIFA, creating an insurance policy for clubs covering the injury risk of national team players; we delivered Financial Fair Play with UEFA, ensuring the financial sustainability of European clubs; we balanced the International Match Calendar, providing stability between international and club football; we fostered the development of UEFA Club Competitions, making them the most revered sporting competitions in the world; whilst of course bringing an array of services to our members to assist your growth as both sporting institutions and as businesses.

Without doubt, it has been the privilege of my professional life to serve ECA and its member clubs.

I would like to thank Kalle, ECA Honorary Chairman, Andrea, ECA Chairman, and members of the Executive Board for the unconditional trust you placed in me. I would also like to thank UEFA and FIFA for the fruitful collaboration over the years and for accepting the centrality of clubs in the football landscape. Thank you for the respect, support and friendship.

Finally, I would like to extend my thanks to the ECA Administration, all of its staff past and present, for letting me guide such a talented and devoted group of professionals, with passion for the game as their driving motivation. In Charlie, ECA has a CEO I value highly and one that will ensure that the Association continues to be a reliable partner for its members. I am positive that he will receive the same trust and support I received over the years.

In my new capacity, I will provide the first independent view on the Board – advising on core business and projects for members, such as the future of UEFA Club Competitions, continued harmonisation of the International Match Calendar and the right positioning of the FIFA Club World Cup. I hope my experience of 12 years serving European club football will bring value to the board room table. 

Despite the difficult year European football has faced, the football family came together; united and strong. This leaves me very positive for the future of our game. Clubs must continue to stick together. No matter the size, culture or level of sporting success, clubs are the engine of the industry and your fundamental interests are the same. And ECA will always be your home.

Best of luck for the future. Most importantly, I wish you good health – the single most important priority at this time.

Michele Centenaro
ECA Independent Executive Board Member