Official: Bologna Appoint Raffaele Palladino on Deal Until 2029, Replacing Tedesco After 4 Matches

Bologna have officially appointed Raffaele Palladino as their new head coach, confirming the move in a club statement on Wednesday, 16 September 2026. The appointment comes immediately after Bologna parted ways with Domenico Tedesco following just four Serie A matches of the new season.

Why Tedesco Was Sacked

Tedesco’s brief spell in charge lasted only four Serie A matches, leaving Bologna in 16th place with just a single point to their name. The team suffered 1-0 defeats to Lazio, Atalanta, and Napoli, with their only goals of the season coming in a 2-2 draw against Sassuolo in early September. In its statement, Bologna thanked Tedesco for his professionalism and competence during his short stint at the club.

Bologna’s decision makes Tedesco the second Serie A head coach to lose his job in the early weeks of the 2026-27 season, following Fiorentina’s dismissal of Fabio Grosso, who was subsequently replaced by the returning Paolo Vanoli.

Palladino’s Contract and Immediate Plans

Bologna have handed Palladino what has been widely reported as a three-year contract running until 30 June 2029, though at least one report described the terms slightly differently, as an initial two-year deal with a further option year dependent on sporting targets being met.

Palladino was set to take his first training session at Bologna’s Casteldebole training centre on Wednesday afternoon, ahead of his first match in charge at home against Torino. That fixture comes just before Serie A breaks for an extended September-October international window.

Palladino’s Managerial Background

Palladino began his coaching career with Monza’s youth setup before being promoted to first-team manager in 2022, guiding the club to consecutive top-flight finishes before leaving in June 2024. He then joined Fiorentina, leading the club to a sixth-place finish, its best league position since 2016, and Conference League qualification, before departing by mutual consent at the end of that season.

He most recently managed Atalanta, having been appointed there following Ivan Juric’s dismissal, before making the move to Bologna as his next challenge in Serie A.

What Bologna Are Hoping For

Bologna’s hierarchy is understood to be counting on Palladino’s tactical flexibility to help stabilise the team defensively while pushing them back toward a stronger position in the Serie A table. The club also strengthened its attack over the summer by bringing in striker Artem Dovbyk on loan from Roma, giving Palladino attacking reinforcements to work with as he begins his tenure.

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