Prague Raptors FC News
- Jul 24, 2018
- 3 min read

The Italian who doesn't like coffee

Updated: Aug 9, 2018

An interview with Prague Raptors Director of Football, Marco Martire - By Simona Lebánková

He is from Latina (Italy) but he has lived in Spain, Portugal and Czech Republic in the last 5 years. What does he likes to do in his free time and how did our Director of Football join Prague Raptors? Marco Martire talks about more than just football in our first ever 'Meet The Raptors' interview:

You lived in Italy, Spain and Portugal. What brought you to Prague?

I was looking for a job opportunity in Prague, preferably in the football industry, but I was unlucky. In the end, I received an offer from the company that works in tourism. I decided to come to Prague, just to have the possibility to experience a different culture and maybe to go back to football industry one day. And I was right.

So it was a good decision.

Definitely. I can say that Prague is probably the best city I lived in so far. I am happy to be here.

How did you get to Prague Raptors?

It was a funny situation. I was at home, going through Instagram. I found this post, by our club president - Daz. He was looking for someone for the management position and I said why not. I was very interested and thought that this might be another opportunity to grow in football. And it is not just that. It´s an amazing project and I am happy to be a part of it.

Have you found your favourite food in Prague?

As an Italian, you can imagine that I am a big fan of pasta. To be specific, it´s pasta with seafood called "Pasta allo Scoglio". It´s impossible to find it here, so when it comes to Czech food, I always go for the traditional duck. It´s delicious! I am just not a fan of dumplings.

What is your "go to" place in Prague?

If I want to relax I go to Vyšehrad. It´s a place I would recommend to everyone who comes to visit. But if I want to have fun with my friends I go to Kolkovna. I call it "the dog bar", because there is a big dog in front of it. It´s a great place to meet new people from all different countries.

Is there a favourite moment in football for you?

Definitely the 2006 World Cup, when Italy won. That was a big moment for me and my country.

And what about your personal life?

I used to play football when I was younger and every tournament was the moment to remember, because I don´t have that much experience on the field. Then the moments I spent with the best football managers in Spain and Portugal. I think most of the people don´t see the management side that much. I was lucky enough to see it and it´s impressive. I still have a lot to learn.

Was there or is there someone who inspires you when it comes to football?

When it comes to football management I was always focusing on Juventus management. They have an amazing Sport Director, Fabio Paratici, and General Manager, Giuseppe Marotta. I am always trying to understand their strategy.

Pavel met Pavel Nedved last month "We had a great talk - it was probably the best day of my life"

And players?

The one football player that inspires me is Pavel Nedved. My dogs name is Pavel, you know just like him. I met Nedved a month ago and honestly - it was the best moment of my life. He was speaking in Italian with me and we had a little conversation. It took me four hours to go to the place where he was playing and four to come back, but it was definitely worth it. I still can´t believe that it happened.

How would your friends describe you in one word?

Loyal. I hope!

How about your free time. What are your hobbies?

I play guitar and I am planning to learn to play piano. Since I visited my physiotherapist I go to swim quite often, but let me tell you that I just learned how to swim a few months ago. I spent my whole childhood in the sea but I did not know how to swim until now.

That´s quite surprising! Anything else you want to confess?

Maybe that I am one of the rare Italians who doesn´t like coffee and prefers tea.