Bologna is changing course immediately. Domenico Tedesco has been sacked after just four Serie A matches, and taking his place is Raffaele Palladino, who thus returns to the dugout only a few months after the end of his spell with Atalanta.

The decision came after a start to the season far below expectations: one draw, three defeats, only two goals scored, and Bologna slipped to sixteenth place. The club therefore chose to intervene immediately, without waiting for further responses from a technical project begun only this summer.

Palladino signs until 2029

The choice fell on Raffaele Palladino, who has signed a contract until June 30, 2029. The new coach will already lead his first training session today, September 16, at Casteldebole and will have very little time to prepare for his debut: on Saturday, Bologna will host Torino.

For Palladino, this represents his fourth experience on a Serie A bench after Monza, Fiorentina, and Atalanta. It’s an immediate return to the top division for a coach who, despite being just 42 years old, has already accumulated a considerable amount of experience.

The numbers speak for his career: 195 matches as a head coach, 88 wins, 46 draws, and 61 defeats, with an average of 1.59 points per match. Thus, 45% of his games ended in victory for his teams.

From Monza to Atalanta, via Florence

Palladino first made a name for himself especially as Monza’s manager, taking over during the 2022/23 season and saving the club with an attacking style of football. In 2024, he then received the call from Fiorentina.

Last season, however, he stepped in in November at Atalanta, leading the team for seven months and finishing the league in seventh place. Now comes another adventure, again taking over mid-season, with the task of lifting a team that started well below expectations.

How Bologna might change

One of the most interesting aspects will be the tactical system. The 3-4-2-1 has been one of Palladino’s most frequently used formations, as Sofascore also highlights, but Bologna’s squad was mainly built to play with a four-man defense.

For this reason, the new coach may initially stick with the 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, gradually introducing his principles. Ferguson is likely to become the key figure in midfield, while up front the best positions must be found for players such as Bernardeschi, Odgaard, and Orsolini, with Piccoli and Dovbyk competing for the striker spot.

There is, however, very little time. The new era begins already on Saturday against Torino. After just four matches, Bologna has decided to abandon the summer plan and turn to Palladino: another chance for the Campania-born coach to relaunch himself, and for the Rossoblù the need to give their season an immediate boost after a tough start.