BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 09: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Leg One match between Bologna FC 1909 and Aston Villa FC at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on April 09, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Bologna’s search for a new head coach is now underway following the departure of Vincenzo Italiano, and the Rossoblu already have two ideas lined-up when it comes to a replacement.
Two initial candidates as Bologna seek Italiano replacement
Bologna confirmed on Thursday that Italiano has left his position as head coach following two seasons in charge. Italiano took over from Thiago Motta ahead of Bologna’s 2024-25 Champions League campaign and also won the Coppa Italia during his first season in charge. That set him and the team up for a run-out in the Europa League in 2025-26.
Italiano leaves the Rossoblu after a eighth-place finish in Serie A in 2025-26, finishing three points shy of European qualification.
Italiano had been linked with a move to take over from Antonio Conte as head coach of Napoli, but Thursday’s reports indicate that Aurelio De Laurentiis has since come to an agreement over a two-year contract with Massimiliano Allegri instead.
Bologna, meanwhile, are left looking at potential successors. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the immediate leading candidates are Lecce’s Eusebio Di Francesco and Domenico Tedesco, who most recently took charge of Fenerbahce.
