Alessandra Nencioni is a former professional footballer with a strong background in marketing, communication, and sports management. Football has shaped her life from an early age, offering both personal growth and professional direction. During her playing career, she competed in Italy’s top leagues with clubs such as ACF Firenze, Fiammamonza, Inter Milan, Florentia, Napoli Calcio Femminile, and Venezia FC. Internationally, she represented Italy at the U-17 and U-19 levels and also played in the U.S. WPSL for Issaquah SC, AC Seattle, and OSA XF, where she served as captain.
Beyond the pitch, Alessandra has been proactive in building experience across various club operations. She began at OSA Seattle FC, playing a key role in the club’s foundation and growth, later serving as Team Manager, Players Coordinator, and Responsible for Marketing and Communication. She continued combining her on-field and off-field contributions at CF Florentia and later held roles with Severino Becagli s.r.l., FC Como Women, Genoa CFC, and currently serves as Club Manager at Napoli Calcio Femminile.
To complement her hands-on experience, Alessandra pursued academic training in sport business. She holds a Master in Sport Marketing and Sponsorship from the Johan Cruyff Institute in Barcelona, a Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Marketing, and completed a course in Digital Marketing in Sport. She also earned certifications in sport management and team coordination from SDA Bocconi and CONI.
Fluent in English, with working knowledge of Portuguese and German, Alessandra brings a dynamic, solution-oriented approach to her work. She is skilled in digital tools, social media, and design platforms. Her leadership, communication, and adaptability, shaped by her playing days, continue to define her career off the field.
Alessandra is passionate about creating long-term value in the world of sport, especially in advancing women’s football. Whether managing operations, leading communication strategy, or supporting club growth, she brings vision, energy, and commitment to every role.
Our Exclusive Interview with Alessandra Nencioni
Who is Alessandra Nencioni outside of football? How would you describe yourself beyond your professional and athletic identity?
Outside of football, I’m someone who’s deeply curious, empathetic, and committed to personal growth. I enjoy exploring different cultures, learning languages, and challenging myself in new environments, both personally and professionally. I’ve always believed that life is about evolving, and for me, that means continuously developing new skills, seeking meaningful relationships, and staying grounded in my values. Football has shaped so much of who I am, but beyond the sport, I’m passionate about music, cinema and books, discovering new countries and food.
How do you see the current state of women’s football in Italy, and what steps do you believe are needed to support its growth?
Women’s football in Italy has made significant strides, especially in the last five years, with increasing visibility, investment, and professionalization. However, we still face structural and cultural challenges, especially in the South. There’s a need for more sustainable development models, greater media coverage and – I do think – stronger grassroots programs to fuel long-term growth.
What I believe is most important for the growth of the movement is to break away from the men’s model, not economically nor financially, but conceptually. Women’s football is a different story, and it should not simply follow the path carved out by the men’s game. By nature, men and women are different, physically, psychologically, and consequently in how they experience things, therefore the sport. That’s why, in my opinion, it is essential we build our own journey, guided by our values, without constant comparison to the men’s side.
We also could use greater female representation in leadership roles, people with real expertise, passion, and commitment, both on and off the pitch. And crucially, we must invest in marketing and storytelling to establish women’s football as a central part of Italy’s sporting culture. The potential is there—we just need to nurture it with vision and consistency.
You’ve worked across various departments from communication to team management. Which role challenged you the most and why?
Every role I’ve taken on has been a challenge in its own way, because I’ve learned by doing. I didn’t start with all the answers, instead, I grew through hands-on experience, supported by colleagues and supervisors who believed in me and helped me develop along the way.
That said, the last two years in Naples — as team manager first and then as club manager — have probably represented my biggest phase of personal and professional growth. The environment we work in is complex and demanding, and I’ve come to realize that what you learn in theory, such as during my studies at the Johan Cruyff Institute, rarely matches the reality on the ground.
This job requires constant adaptation. It’s full of unexpected situations, and you need to be able to learn something new every day and quickly apply it in future challenges. It’s a continuous process of evolving and refining your approach.
What makes the football atmosphere in Naples unique, and how does it influence your work at Napoli Calcio Femminile?
Naples is a city that lives and breathes football, it’s more than just a game here: it is culture, identity, and emotion. That passion can be overwhelming, but it’s also incredibly powerful. Working at Napoli Femminile means being part of a community that deeply cares, and that fuels a sense of responsibility and pride in what we do.
I first learned all of this years ago, when I played here. I am from Florence, but right away I felt the weight of the responsibility that comes with wearing these colors and representing this jersey. But I did accept it with both pride and a certain sense of reverence.
Even more now that I am a manager: this atmosphere pushes me to always strive for excellence, not just in results but in how we represent the club, engage with fans and grow the women’s game in a city with such strong traditions. It’s about honoring the passion of the people while building something that reflects the future of football in Italy.
How has your international experience, both as a player and professional, shaped your approach to club management?
Living and playing abroad, especially in the U.S. broadened my perspective. I was exposed to different models of sport organization, fan engagement and club culture. Being part of multicultural teams taught me adaptability and the value of inclusive leadership.
Having gone through it myself, I gained firsthand insight into the challenges players face when transitioning to a new country, culture and environment. Experiencing it personally made me deeply aware of how important it is to properly welcome international players, helping them feel comfortable from the very beginning, so they can settle in and perform at their best.
What are your future goals in football and beyond, and where do you hope to make the most impact moving forward?
My first and main goal is to contribute meaningfully to the growth of Napoli Femminile. I truly believe my work here isn’t finished yet. Through this, I also hope to play a role in advancing women’s football more broadly, especially in Italy. I want to help build environments where players and professionals feel valued, supported, and empowered, places where they know they belong, and where they have the opportunity to grow and learn every single day.
In the long term, I hope to become a key reference point in the world of women’s football, but only after I’ve further expanded my expertise and deepened my understanding of areas I’m still exploring. I believe that real impact comes with knowledge, experience, and a continuous willingness to learn. That’s why my current focus is on growing as a professional, broadening my perspective, and building the skills needed to contribute meaningfully to the development of the game, both on and off the field.
Beyond football, I have a wide range of interests and remain open to pursuing a completely different career path, perhaps in the food industry, for example.