Paolo Di Nunno died, brought Lecco back to Serie B
Paolo Di Nunno has passed away. The news of the entrepreneur’s death was announced through the official channels of Baranzatese, a club in the Milan area that Di Nunno chaired for some time. In 2023, in the role of patron-president, he had also been the architect of Lecco’s return to Serie B, half a century after the Blucelesti’s last time in the cadet tournament.
“Baranzatese mourns the passing of President Paolo Di Nunno – the note reads. With deep emotion we announce the loss of a figure who in recent years represented a point of reference for our entire community. President Di Nunno led the club with passion and dedication, leaving an indelible mark in the club’s history. All of Baranzatese huddles around the family at this time of great sorrow. His commitment, enthusiasm and attachment to our colors will live on in our hearts and in our daily commitment. Hello President.”
An entrepreneur from Puglia, born in Canosa in 1948, Di Nunno was the main protagonist of the Bluceleste rebirth that culminated with the historic promotion in 2023. His entry into Lecco dates back to June 12, 2017, when he took over the club at the bankruptcy auction called by the court after the 2016 default, presenting the only bid and also taking over the sports debts.
From there, a long and complex path took shape that, within a few years, brought Calcio Lecco 1912 back from amateurism to the stages of professional soccer. During his presidency, Lecco won the A round of Serie D in 2018-2019, returning to the professional ranks after seven years, and then managed to stabilize in Serie C, touching promotion several times.
The highest moment came in the 2022-2023 season. A team that started with no great expectations, deeply renewed in the ongoing championship with the arrival of Luciano Foschi on the bench, finished third in the regular season and faced a long way in the playoffs. Victories against Ancona, Pordenone and Cesena paved the way to the final with Foggia: the double success against the Rossoneri sanctioned Lecco’s return to Serie B, fifty years after its last participation in the cadet championship, dated 1972-1973. In May 2023, a blatant protest of his had a wide echo: he entered the field during the match against Pordenone to show all his displeasure with a refereeing decision, being obviously removed.
A frequent guest on Sportitalia, he had also recently been in the TV studios of Michele Criscitiello’s broadcaster to present his book “Tutti i miei campi,” a journey tracing his relationship with soccer.
