Urbano Cairo, the president of Torino FC, has made it clear that he is not looking to sell the club, despite recent rumors and speculation. Cairo addressed the issue during an interview with Radio Sportiva, where he confirmed that while he has been in contact with major potential sponsors like Red Bull, the notion of selling Torino is not on the table for now.
Meeting with Red Bull: Sponsorship Talks, Not a Sale
Cairo disclosed that he had met with representatives from Red Bull in early July to discuss potential sponsorship opportunities for the club. The meeting, he emphasized, was solely about sponsorship and did not involve any discussions regarding a possible sale of the club. “I met Red Bull in early July because they wanted to know me in order to become a sponsor and that is what happened. We have not met since,” Cairo said.
While Red Bull’s interest was purely commercial, the president did address other rumours regarding possible ownership changes. Cairo denied any meetings or negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), a topic that has circulated in media reports. “As for PIF, I have never even met with them. There has been absolutely no contact, it was totally invented,” he explained, dismissing the speculation as a potential attempt to destabilise the club.
A Commitment to Torino, But Not for Life
Despite ruling out any immediate sale, Cairo acknowledged that he doesn’t intend to stay in charge of Torino FC forever. “I am not selling Toro, but I also don’t want to stay in this role for life,” he stated, hinting at the possibility of a transition at some point in the future.
Cairo’s involvement with Torino is deeply personal. He invested €10 million to save the club from the brink of bankruptcy when he took over in 2005, pouring his own money into stabilising a team that had been struggling financially. Cairo admitted that his decision to get involved with the club was inspired in part by his mother, a passionate Torino fan. His longstanding commitment to the club has been clear, but he did not shy away from acknowledging the need for a future successor who may have more resources.
“If there is someone richer than me who wants it, then let them step forward, I am ready to listen to proposals,” Cairo said, indicating that while he is not actively seeking buyers, he would be open to listening to offers from parties who have the financial means to take the club forward.
The Role of Fans and the Future of Torino
Cairo addressed the relationship between the club’s management and its fanbase, acknowledging that opinions about his leadership vary. He recognized that some fans may be dissatisfied with the club’s current trajectory but urged them to stay positive and support the team. “Fans are fundamental and some might be against me, it happens, but if you are a Toro supporter then you ought to support the team and be positive,” Cairo said.
Reflecting on his tenure, Cairo pointed to the club’s stability in Serie A as one of his key achievements. “I remember when people used to say the most important thing was for us to stay regularly in Serie A, well we have been for 13 years,” he noted, adding that while he believed Torino could perform better, he was also mindful of how far the club had come under his stewardship. “Of course we can do better, but it could also be worse.”
For Cairo, keeping Torino in Italy’s top flight and maintaining its financial health have been fundamental goals. Whether or not he remains at the helm for much longer, his legacy at Torino will likely be shaped by these achievements.
