Vincenzo Italiano has surprised many observers at Bologna, proving them wrong after taking over a challenging managerial role last summer following the exit of Thiago Motta. Many doubted his ability to tackle what seemed like a daunting task, but as of March 22, 2025, the Rossoblu sit fourth in Serie A and are genuine contenders for Champions League qualification. This remarkable turnaround is particularly impressive given the upheaval at the club, which saw Joshua Zirkzee and Riccardo Calafiori leave for the Premier League after a stellar previous season.
Reflecting on his early days in charge, Italiano noted how he was labeled ‘crazy’ for accepting the role. “Many [called me crazy],” he explained in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Because over the years, Bologna have often had disappointing seasons. Everyone thought this would be a ‘Mission Impossible’—in fact, that’s exactly what the messages I received said. This was considered the hottest bench in football.” His confidence in the club’s potential, however, kept him steady in the face of this skepticism. “What did I reply? After speaking with everyone at the club, I felt reassured. I knew there would be difficulties, as there have been, but I had the right people alongside me to help avoid making too many mistakes,” he added.
His coaching philosophy likens football to harvesting from an orange tree: “Sowing is easier than harvesting, and the harvest translates into objectives: the Coppa Italia, a semifinal, maybe even a final; and in the league, aiming as high as possible. Sowing took us just a moment, but seeing the fruits depends on the climate, the water, the insects, the sun, the rain. Now, the key word will be humility,” said Italiano, emphasizing the need for grounded expectations as the season continues.
Despite a challenging run in the Champions League where Bologna faced elimination in the group stage, Italiano still considers the team's victory over Borussia Dortmund, which took place on January 21, 2025, as a highlight of his tenure. “I saw people celebrating as if we had won the Champions League,” he reflected. “It came after a comeback, with a team that wanted to give itself and the fans a first victory. I choose that one because, even though we were eliminated, it felt like we had lifted the trophy—only the street parades were missing.”
Looking ahead, Italiano aims to lead Bologna to further success, including a deep run in the Coppa Italia. He openly admitted that the prospect of leading Bologna into this prestigious tournament motivated him significantly in accepting the job: “50-60%,” he said candidly, highlighting his desire to test himself in top-tier competitions.
“First, we need to win the semifinal, and that won’t be easy—Empoli have beaten top teams away, and I’ve never won there, neither in Serie A nor Serie B,” he said. His ambition is mirrored in his hope of bringing a sizable contingent of supporters to Rome should Bologna reach the final. “Imagining bringing 30-35,000 Bologna fans to Rome in my first year here would be an incredible dream for all of us—something priceless.”
Recent performances reflect Italiano’s impact, notably a commanding 5-0 victory over Lazio on March 16, 2025. This win not only represented a perfect execution of his playing philosophy but also indicated a cohesive unit, with new players integrated into the squad complementing the existing core. “It was the perfect summary of a team all pulling in the same direction, fully involved,” Italiano commented. “The goal was executed by three new players out of four, showing how united we are—both those who play and those who don’t. It’s a very positive sign as we head into the final stretch of the season, where we’ll face one tough match after another, from the league to the Coppa Italia semifinal.”
Despite his accomplishments, Italiano is aware of the precarious nature of management positions in football. He recalls his three seasons at Fiorentina, where he lost multiple finals but formed a lasting bond with fans. Although those losses linger, he recognizes his journey there was significant: “Losing them blurred things, but those were three fantastic years. Of course, a coach is judged by results, but I gave everything that was asked of me—maybe even more.”
As Bologna prepares to face a challenging schedule ahead—taking on Napoli, Atalanta, Inter, Juventus, Milan, and Fiorentina—Italiano remains hopeful. With nine match days remaining in the championship and only one point separating them from Juventus, the dream of back-to-back Champions League qualifications does not seem impossible. The final push will require resilience and skill as he leads Bologna through one of its most challenging stretches yet, all while keeping the mantra of humility at the forefront.
