Ownership of the football club Napoli for 32 non-continuous years remains the defining enterprise of Italian civil engineer Corrado Ferlaino. Born in Cosenza in 1931 to engineer Modesto and Cecilia Pasquali, Ferlaino navigated a diverse career path that evolved from early attempts at amateur sports and film production into a significant career as a residential building contractor.
Early Development and Construction
Following an education at the Vincenzo Cuoco scientific high school in Naples, Ferlaino attended the University of Bari, where he completed a degree in civil engineering. He established his own construction firm, focusing initially on residential projects within the Vomero and Arenella districts. His professional reach expanded significantly over subsequent decades, leading to a massive corporate structure by the 1990s. At that peak, he operated as head of a group encompassing 43 companies, with Iper S.r.l. and Delvecchio Construction serving as the primary pillars. These entities generated revenue totaling 400 billion Italian lire.
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Take the IQ test →Acquisition and Management of Napoli
Ferlaino entered the financial structure of Napoli in 1967 as a minority shareholder under chairman Gioacchino Lauro. Two years later, he spent 70 million lire to acquire a 33 percent stake from the estate of the deceased Antonio Corcione. Leveraging support from Lauro, he secured the chairmanship in 1969. He subsequently solidified his control by purchasing the shares previously held by Roberto Fiore, maintaining his position as chairman for over three decades despite temporary departures in 1972 and 1983.
The Maradona Era and Club Success
The tenure of Ferlaino reached its competitive zenith during the 1980s. With Diego Maradona leading the team on the pitch, the club secured two Serie A titles during the 1986–87 and 1989–90 seasons. Additional honors during this period included the 1986–87 Coppa Italia, the 1988–89 UEFA Cup, and the 1990 Supercoppa Italiana. These results consolidated his reputation in Italian football, ultimately resulting in his 2015 induction into the Italian Football Hall of Fame.
Divestment and Later Career
The financial relationship between Ferlaino and Napoli underwent several shifts during the 1990s and 2000s. He sold the club to Elenio Gallo in 1993, though he returned as the primary shareholder shortly thereafter. In 2000, he transferred half of his equity to Giorgio Corbelli, who assumed the chairmanship. By 2002, he divested his remaining interest in the football club. During that same year, he diversified his professional portfolio by entering the hospitality sector.
Fast facts
- Born: 1931, Cosenza, Italy
- Primary Occupation: Engineer and entrepreneur
- Napoli chairmanship duration: 32 non-continuous years
- Construction revenue peak: 400 billion lire
- Italian Football Hall of Fame induction: 2015
- Family: Father of five children
- Hospitality sector entry: 2002
Questions readers ask
What was the extent of Ferlaino's business group in the 1990s?
He headed a group of 43 companies, including Iper S.r.l. and Delvecchio Construction, with revenues reaching 400 billion lire.
Which major trophies did Napoli win under his management?
The club won two Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, one UEFA Cup, and one Supercoppa Italiana.
