Palladino takes over at Fiorentina after Italiano exit

Raffaele Palladino was named Fiorentina's new coach on Tuesday after his predecessor Vincenzo Italiano quit in the aftermath of the club's Europa Conference League final defeat.

Palladino, who was unveiled as the new man in charge during a press conference with the club's management, joins Fiorentina from Monza on a two-season contract with an option for an additional year.

Raffaele Palladino is our new head coach💜⚜️#forzaviola #fiorentina pic.twitter.com/gtyUKVs5ed

— ACF Fiorentina English (@ACFFiorentinaEN) June 4, 2024

The 40-year-old impressed at Monza, guiding the traditionally small club to comfortable mid-table finishes in their two first seasons in Serie A.

Monza finished 12th in the most recent campaign, 15 points behind Fiorentina who will again compete in the Conference League after finishing eighth and losing last week's final to Olympiakos.

That was the second straight year that the Viola have been beaten in the Conference League decider after losing to West Ham in 2023.

Italiano announced his departure on Sunday, bringing to an end his three years at the Florence-based club with whom he also lost the 2023 Italian Cup final.

Bologna have been tipped as Italiano's next club as Thiago Motta will not renew his contract there and is expected to be hired by Juventus.