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Palermo FC
Palermo FC
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Key Information

Clubs owned by CFG
Listed in order of acquisition/foundation.
Bold indicates the club was founded by CFG.
* indicates the club was acquired by CFG.
§ indicates the club is co-owned.
2008England Manchester City*
2009–2012
2013United States New York City FC§
2014Australia Melbourne City*
Japan Yokohama F. Marinos*§
2015–2016
2017Uruguay Montevideo City*
Spain Girona*§
2018
2019China Shenzhen Peng City*§
India Mumbai City*§
2020Belgium Lommel*
France Troyes*
2021
2022Italy Palermo*§
2023Brazil Bahia*§

Palermo Football Club (Italian pronunciation: [paˈlɛrmo] ) is an Italian professional football club based in Palermo, Sicily, that currently plays in Serie B, the second division of Italian football. It is part of the City Football Group.

Founded for the first time on 1 November 1900 as Anglo Palermitan Athletic and Football Club, Palermo is one of the oldest clubs in Italy.

Among the club's accomplishments are a Coppa Italia Serie C, won in the 1992–93, and five Serie B league titles. It also appeared in three Coppa Italia finals: in 1973–74, in 1978–79 and in 2010–11; and played 29 seasons in Serie A.

Internationally, the club has made five appearances in European competitions, all in the UEFA Cup/Europa League.

History

[edit]
The performance of Palermo in the Italian football league structure since the first season of a unified Serie A (1929/30).

Early history (1898–1947)

[edit]
Ancient Palermo FBC logo
Historical first Anglo-Palermitan Athletic & Football Club line-up, 1900

There is some debate and uncertainty about the exact date the club was founded. Some authorities believe that it may have been founded as early as 1898 due to the existence of papers addressed to Joseph Whitaker, English ornithologist in Palermo and originally believed to be first club president, about a Palermo football team founded in the month of April of that year.[4] Conversely, another source cites that in April 1897, the future founders of Palermo Calcio founded the association Sport Club.[5] The most common and officially stated foundation date is 1 November 1900,[6] as the Anglo Palermitan Athletic and Football Club. The club is thought to have been founded by Ignazio Majo Pagano, a young Palermitan colleague of Whitaker who had discovered football while at college in London in the UK, where the modern game of association football originated. The initial staff comprised three Englishmen and nine natives of Palermo,[7] with Whitaker as honorary chairman, Edward De Garston as inaugural president and with red and blue as the original team colours. The first recorded football match, played by the team on 30 December 1900, ended in a 5–0 defeat to an unidentified amateur English team. The club's first official match, played on 18 April 1901 against Messina Football Club, ended in a 3–2 victory for the Palermitan side.[8]

In 1907, the club changed its name to Palermo Foot-Ball Club, and the team colours were changed to the current pink and black.[9] From 1908 until Italy's entry in World War I in 1915, Palermo was featured in the Lipton Challenge Cup, organised by Scottish businessman Sir Thomas Lipton. The competition saw them face off against Naples FBC; Palermo won the competition three times, including a 6–0 victory in 1912.[10]

After a gap during the First World War, the club was refounded in 1919 as Unione Sportiva Palermo,[11] by a committee of young university students and sportsmen. During the early 1920s, the club mainly competed in the Campionato Lega Sud, a football league in Southern Italy, reaching the semi-finals in 1924 before being knocked out by Audace Taranto, Alba Roma and Internaples. The club was dissolved in 1927 due to financial problems, but was reformed one year later following a merger with Vigor Palermo under the name Palermo FootBall Club. Originally admitted to Prima Divisione (First Division), the equivalent of today's Serie C1,[12][13] the team was promoted to Serie B in 1930 and finally reached Serie A in 1932. From its debut season in Italy's top division, Palermo relocated to a new home, the Stadio Littorio (Lictorian Stadium) in the Favorita neighbourhood, today known as Stadio Renzo Barbera. The club played in Serie A until 1936, when they were relegated to Serie B and first played Catania in the Sicilian derby.[14]

In 1936, Palermo was forced by the fascist regime to change its colours to yellow and red, after the official colours of the local municipality.[15] Meanwhile, economic difficulties arose, and in 1940 the club was expelled by the Italian Football Federation because of financial problems.[15] A merger with Unione Sportiva Juventina Palermo brought the foundation of Unione Sportiva Palermo-Juventina, which joined Serie C in 1941 and Serie B in 1942.[16]

Palermo goalscorer, Santiago Vernazza

The club could not finish the 1942–43 season due to the outbreak of World War II. At the same time, the pink-and-black colours were chosen because Sicily became a "war zone". After the conflict, the club changed its name to US Palermo.

Post-war years (1947–2002)

[edit]

After World War II, the team returned to Serie A by winning the Serie B championship of 1947–48. The new Palermo squad featured players such as Czechoslovakian legend Čestmír Vycpálek, who signed from Juventus alongside Conti, Carmelo Di Bella and Pavesi.[15] Palermo played Serie A until they were relegated in 1954.[15][17] Massive changes in the board, as well as the manager's job and the squad, proved successful, and the club returned to Serie A in 1956. Palermo became a "yo-yo club", bouncing up and down between the top two Italian leagues. Several stars played for Palermo during this period, such as Argentine striker Santiago Vernazza (51 goals in 115 games with the Rosanero),[18] goalkeepers Roberto Anzolin and Carlo Mattrel, Giuseppe Furino and Franco Causio. Palermo marked its best campaign in 1961–62 season, finishing in eighth place in Serie A. In 1963, however, they were relegated to Serie B, where they played for five seasons. Palermo played again in Serie A between 1968 and 1970.

In 1970, Renzo Barbera took over the club as the new chairman. After 1973, Palermo FBC remained firmly rooted in Serie B. Despite this, Palermo reached two Italian Cup finals, both of which they narrowly lost: in 1974 to Bologna on penalty shoot-outs, and in 1979 to Juventus after extra time. Barbera left the club in 1980, and Palermo were relegated to Serie C1 four years later. The 1985–86 season, however, which ended in the summer, was the last for Palermo FBC, as, having just saved themselves from relegation, the club was expelled by the football federation due to financial problems. In the summer of 1987, after a year without professional football in Palermo, the club was re-founded bearing a new name and began to play in Serie C2, which it promptly won.

In the 1990s, Palermo played between Serie B and Serie C1 with a few highs, such as its 1995–96 Serie B and Coppa Italia campaign, the latter ending in the quarter-finals, and a number of lows such as the 1998 relegation to Serie C2 after defeat in the play-offs to Battipagliese, later revoked by the federation to fill a vacant league slot.[19]

In March 2000, Roma chairman Franco Sensi led a holding company to purchase Palermo and Sergio D'Antoni became the president of Palermo[20] and Palermo were promoted to Serie B one year later after a dramatic final week of the season, with Palermo coming back from behind to take first place from league-toppers Sicilian rivals Messina. The first comeback season in the Serie B, with Bortolo Mutti as head coach, was an eventless one, with Palermo ending in a mid-table placement.

The Zamparini era: back to Serie A and European years (2002–2013)

[edit]
Palermo chairman and owner Maurizio Zamparini

In the summer of 2002, Friulian businessman and Venezia owner Maurizio Zamparini acquired the club from Franco Sensi in a €15 million bid, with the clear intention to bring Palermo back to Serie A and establish the club as a Serie A regular with aims of participations to European competitions.[21] Palermo failed in its first attempt to reach the Serie A in 2002–03 on the final week of the season, but later managed to achieve it after a challenging but successful 2003–04 campaign which saw Palermo crowned as Serie B champions and promoted to Serie A after 31 years, under head coach Francesco Guidolin, who was hired in January 2004 as replacement for dismissed Silvio Baldini.

The 2004–05 season, the first in Serie A for the Palermo club since 1973, ended with an excellent sixth place, securing qualification for the 2005–06 UEFA Cup for the first time in its history. Luca Toni broke the Palermo Serie A scoring record by notching up 20 league goals. In the following season, despite an unimpressive eighth place in the Serie A table, Palermo reached the last 16 in the UEFA Cup as well as the Coppa Italia semi-finals. The club was however admitted to play UEFA Cup again due to the 2006 Calciopoli scandal, with Palermo players Andrea Barzagli, Cristian Zaccardo, Simone Barone and Fabio Grosso being crowned 2006 World Cup winners. Several impressive signings were made to establish an ambitious team,[22] and a good beginning in the 2006–07 campaign appeared initially to confirm this. An 11-game winless streak, however, forced Palermo to fall down from third to seventh place, ending the season in fifth place and ensuring another UEFA Cup qualification. The club successively established as a force in the mid-table part of the Serie A league, also winning a Campionato Nazionale Primavera national title in 2009.[23]

The following season started with new manager Walter Zenga, whose appointment from Sicilian arch-rivals Catania was greeted with surprise and dismay from supporters of both parties;[24] Zenga's reign, however, lasted only 13 games, as he was dismissed on 23 November 2009 due to poor performances, ironically after a 1–1 home tie to Sicilian rivals and Zenga's former team, Catania,[25] with former Lazio boss Delio Rossi being appointed at his place.[26] Under the tutelage of Delio Rossi, results dramatically improved, and Palermo established a record of seven consecutive home wins, including wins against Italian giants Milan and Juventus, and emerging as serious contenders for a Champions League spot, which they ultimately lost to Sampdoria by only one point. Such season also launched new emerging stars such as midfielder Javier Pastore and goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu, who went on to become integral part of their respective international teams.

Former club captain Fabrizio Miccoli

The 2010–11 season started with Delio Rossi still in charge of the club, and also marked Palermo's return into continental football in the form of the UEFA Europa League. Palermo reached their third Coppa Italia finals after defeating Milan 4–3 on aggregate on 10 May 2011, losing 3–1 to Internazionale in the final, in what is considered one of the peak moments of Zamparini's period at the club.

Zamparini's later years and Serie B return (2011–2018)

[edit]

For the 2011–12 season, Delio Rossi was replaced by former Chievo boss Stefano Pioli, who was, however, sacked before the Serie A kickoff after being eliminated by Swiss minnows FC Thun in the Europa League third preliminary round; new head coach Devis Mangia, with no managerial experience other than at youth team and minor league level; despite that, Mangia turned Palermo fortunes by leading the Rosanero in fifth place thanks to an impressive string of six consecutive home wins, thus deserving a long-term deal at the club. A string of poor results, however, led Palermo to three straight defeats, including elimination from the Coppa Italia and a disappointing loss in the Sicilian derby, persuading Zamparini to replace Mangia with the more experienced Bortolo Mutti.[27] Palermo arrived 16th in that season.

Giuseppe Iachini, formerly a Palermo midfielder in the 1990s, replaced Gattuso as head coach during the 2013–14 season and led the club to a Serie B champions title and broke the highest-Serie-B-point record

For the 2012–13 season, Zamparini came with another staff revolution, appointing Giorgio Perinetti as the new director of football and Giuseppe Sannino as the manager, both coming from Siena. A complete squad restructuring, a total five managerial changes and some staff changes (including a short stint with Pietro Lo Monaco as sports director) did not help, and Palermo ended its season in 18th place, being thus relegated to Serie B after nine consecutive seasons in the top flight.

For the new Serie B campaign, Zamparini appointed former Milan and Italy international star Gennaro Gattuso as the new manager,[28] despite him having little prior managerial experience; he was sacked in September 2013, the 28th sacked manager in 11 years. Fortune was reversed rather rapidly, however, as Palermo regained promotion back to Serie A for the 2014–15 season under the guidance of new head coach Giuseppe Iachini, with the Rosanero completing a record-breaking Serie B season with 86 points, one more than previous record holders Juventus, Chievo and Sassuolo (all of them in the 22-team Serie B format).

With Iachini confirmed in charge, Palermo played a relatively successful 2014–15 Serie A season, narrowly missing a UEFA Europa League spot also thanks to the all-Argentine striking force of Paulo Dybala and Franco Vázquez.

In 2015–16 season, Palermo started their season without Dybala after the youngster moved to Juventus; the Rosanero therefore relied on senior striker Alberto Gilardino to play as a partner of Vázquez. Another long list of managerial changes during the season (seven in total, with Davide Ballardini as the final one) marked a very troublesome season, during which Palermo escaped relegation on the last day of the league with the necessary win over Hellas Verona 3–2, securing 16th place.[29]

For the 2016–17 season, Zamparini re-appointed Rino Foschi as sporting director; however, he resigned after just a month in charge and was replaced by former Trapani director Daniele Faggiano. Most senior players such as Gilardino, Sorrentino, Vázquez and Maresca were sold and mostly replaced with Alessandro Diamanti plus several young and quasi-unknown foreign players. Ballardini, who was originally confirmed as head coach, left his position after a draw at Inter Milan at the second matchday of the season and was replaced with Serie A newbie Roberto De Zerbi[30] who ended his stay after seven league losses in a row, with former club captain Eugenio Corini taking over.[31] More managerial and staff changes followed with little luck and, on 27 February 2017, Zamparini stepped down as chairman of Palermo after 15 years in charge, announcing he had agreed in principle to sell his controlling stake to an unspecified Anglo-American fund,[32] led by Italian-American Paul Baccaglini who was named new club president on 6 March.[33]

Palermo ended the season in 19th place, being relegated to Serie B. The takeover, originally scheduled to be finalized by 30 April 2017 and then delayed by 30 June, eventually collapsed after Zamparini, who in the meantime had appointed Bruno Tedino as new head coach for the 2017–18 Serie B campaign, rejected the final offer he received from Baccaglini.[34] On 4 July 2017, Baccaglini resigned as Palermo chairman, falling back into the hands of Zamparini, after the necessary funds were not in place.[35]

Palermo's campaign in the 2017–18 Serie B aimed for an immediate return to the top flight, with Bruno Tedino as head coach and Fabio Lupo as director of football. Initially, the team's form was good, and the Rosanero ended the first half of the season in first place; however, a string of negative results led to the appointment of new manager Roberto Stellone, who was ultimately unable to win promotion, ending the regular season in fourth place and eventually losing the playoff finals to Frosinone.

New ownerships, financial issues and Serie B exclusion (2018–2019)

[edit]

For the 2018–19 Serie B season, Palermo (with Rino Foschi back for a third time as sporting director) found themselves having to sell many players for financial reasons. On 22 November 2018, the club formally confirmed a takeover agreement between Zamparini and an undisclosed investor,[36][37] later confirmed to be the London based Sport Capital Group Investments Ltd., with English businessman Clive Richardson, head of the new group, being named as new club chairman.[38] Following a January 2019 transfer window with no signings at all and serious tensions within the board, Clive Richardson (chairman) and John Treacy (director) both resigned from the club with immediate effect on 4 February 2019, citing that the full nature of the serious financial situation at the club had not been fully disclosed to them at the time of their purchase.[39] Days later, the club was acquired for a nominal fee by Daniela De Angeli (former managing director from the Zamparini days) and Rino Foschi (appointed as chairman),[40][41] only for them to sell it again to hotel and tourism company Arkus Network S.r.l. later in May.[42][43][44][45] The new owner, Sporting Network S.r.l., subscribed a €5 million capital increase to the club.[45]

At the end of the 2018–19 Serie B, Palermo finished in third place with 63 points but was demoted by FIGC to last place in Serie B on 13 May due to serious financial irregularities, which meant relegation to Serie C for the following season.[46][47] The club appealed to FIGC against this ruling and was successful in having the penalty revised; rather than automatic demotion, the club was merely docked 20 points instead, which consequently placed them in a comfortable mid-table eleventh position.[48] However, on 24 June 2019, Palermo incorrectly submitted to FIGC their standard application for the following 2019–20 Serie B season, by failing to provide evidence of a valid insurance policy for the new season.[49] A club trading with no insurance is a severe breach of Italian company law, and as such FIGC had no alternative but to formally exclude the club not only from Serie B, but indeed all professional leagues, on 12 July 2019.[50]

A fresh start, City Football Group ownership (2019–present)

[edit]

On 23 July 2019, in compliance of Article 52 of N.O.I.F., Mayor of Palermo Leoluca Orlando confirmed six declarations of interests had been presented for a new phoenix club to be admitted in Serie D, the highest level of non-professional football in Italy, for the 2019–20 season.[51] The next day, Orlando announced his choice of a bid by a company named "Hera Hora srl", jointly owned by entrepreneurs Dario Mirri (a Palermo native, and Renzo Barbera's nephew) and a Sicilian-American, Tony DiPiazza.[52] Palermo completed their Serie D campaign in first place, and was awarded promotion to Serie C by the Italian Football Federation after all the amateur leagues were stopped in March 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.[53] On 16 July 2020, the club changed its name to Palermo Football Club.[54]

Palermo, under the guidance of Silvio Baldini, concluded the 2021–22 Serie C campaign in third place in the Group C, behind Bari and Catanzaro, and then made it to the promotion playoff final against Padova after eliminating Triestina, Virtus Entella and Feralpisalò in the process (during playoffs, Renzo Barbera stadium was always sold out). On 12 June 2022, Palermo were promoted to Serie B after defeating Padova 2–0 on aggregate, thus returning to the Italian second division just three years after being excluded from the league.[55] On 4 July 2022, in the presence of Manchester City F.C. CEO Ferran Soriano, the club was formally announced to have been acquired by City Football Group, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi United Group, with outgoing owner Dario Mirri (who was confirmed as club chairman) keeping a 20% of the quotes.[56][57]

Under new head coach Eugenio Corini, former Palermo captain in the 2000s, the Rosanero ended their season in ninth place, missing out on promotion playoffs in the season's final game. The follow-up season saw Palermo aiming for direct promotion; however, inconsistency in league performances led to the dismissal of Corini and the appointment of Michele Mignani as new head coach for the remainder of the campaign.

Colours and badge

[edit]
Airoldi's letter in which he suggests pink and black as the club's new official colours
Palermo's original red-blue kit, worn from 1900 until 1907.

The new official badge as of 2019 is a white eagle's head and three pink/black feathers within a black stylized letter 'P'. The eagle represents the city of Palermo, as it is also part of the city's official coat of arms. This new badge replaced the long-standing badge of the previous formation of the club, an escutcheon with an eagle poised for flight within it, and the previous official club denomination "U.S. Città di Palermo" in capital letters on the top.

From its foundation, Palermo originally played with a red and blue shirt as its official colours, but decided to switch to the unusual current choice of pink and black on 27 February 1907, contemporaneously with the change of denomination to "Palermo FootBall Club".[58]

The colour choice of pink and black was suggested by Count Giuseppe Airoldi, a prominent founding member of the club. In a personal letter Airoldi wrote on 2 February 1905 to English club councillor Joseph Whitaker, he defined pink and black poetically as "colours of the bitter and the sweet", a choice he amusingly asserted to be suited for a team characterised by "results as up and down as a Swiss clock", noting also the fact that red and blue were a very commonly used choice of colours around Italy at the time.[4]

The club had to wait for their new jerseys for three months, because no pink cotton flannel material was available in Palermo and the appointed tailoring company could only find suitable material from England and had to import it from there.[58] The vivid new shirts were first worn in a friendly match against Sir Thomas Lipton's crew team; the match ended in a 2–1 win for Palermo.[58] From 1936 to 1940, the team were forced to play in red and yellow jerseys due to an imposition by the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini (red and yellow being the official colours of the municipality of Palermo.) When the club was refounded in 1941 following a merger with Juventina Palermo, they started dressing in light blue shirts on the pitch, but switched back to the very popular pink and black only one year later.[16]

Shirt sponsors and manufacturers

[edit]
Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor[59][unreliable source?]
1979–80 Pouchain None
1981–82 NR Vini Corvo
1983–84 Pasta Ferrara
1985–86 Juculano
1987–90 Città di Palermo
1989–90 Hummel
1990–91 ABM
1991–92 Seleco
1992–93 Giornale di Sicilia
1993–94 Toka
1994–96 Provincia Regionale di Palermo
1996–97 Kappa Giornale di Sicilia
1997–98 Tomarchio Naturà
1998–99 Palermo Provincia Turistica
1999–00 Kronos Tele+
2000–01 Lotto Alitalia
2001–02 LTS
2002–06 Provincia di Palermo
2006–08 None
2008 Pramac
2008–09 None
2009–10 Betshop
2010 Eurobet
2010–11 Legea
2011–12 Eurobet & Burger King
2012–2013 Puma Eurobet & Italiacom
2013–2014 Palermocalcio.it & Sigma
2014–2015 Joma RosaneroCares & CBM
2015–2017 None
2017–2019 Legea
2019 Gruppo Arena c/o Super Conveniente[60][61]
2019–2023 Kappa Bisaten, Gruppo Arena, Nuova Sicilauto, Sicilgesso and Gagliano Gioielli
2023–2025 Puma Old Wild West Bisaten & A29
2025-current Sicily by Car & InXaero

Stadium

[edit]
Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo

Palermo plays its home matches at Stadio Renzo Barbera. The stadium was opened in 1932, during the fascist regime, with the name Stadio Littorio (after the Italian name for the fasces symbol). The inaugural match, won by Palermo 5–1, was played on 24 January 1932 against Atalanta. In 1936, the Littorio was renamed Stadio Michele Marrone after a fascist soldier who died in the Spanish Civil War.[62]

Initially, the stadium featured a running track and no spectator space behind the goals, only terraces and a stand along the side. In 1948, following the end of World War II and the fall of the fascist regime, the stadium was renamed Stadio La Favorita after the Favorita neighbourhood where it was located. It was also restructured to remove the running track and add two curved end sections, increasing its capacity to 30,000.[62] In 1984, it was enlarged to 50,000. The new capacity was reached only twice: for a Serie C1 league match against Sicilian rivals Messina and a friendly match against Juventus.[62] On the occasion of the 1990 FIFA World Cup, the stadium was renovated, some new seats added, but the overall capacity reduced to 37,619. During the 1989 renovation works, five employees died following the collapse of a section of the stadium.[62] In 2002 the stadium was renamed in honour of Renzo Barbera, legendary Palermo chairman in the 1970s.[62]

In 2007, Palermo chairman and owner Maurizio Zamparini announced plans to move the club to a new state-of-the-art stadium, possibly located in the ZEN neighbourhood of Palermo, not far from the Velodromo Paolo Borsellino, a smaller stadium that had previously hosted some Palermo matches.[63]

In 2024, Palermo inaugurated their own training centre, located in the city of Torretta, their first one in the club's history.[64]

Supporters

[edit]
Palermo supporters in the 2006 Sicilian derby

The majority of Palermo supporters come from the city and its neighbourhood. However, Palermo is also widely popular throughout Western Sicily, as well as among Sicilian immigrants in northern Italy, For example, a number of Palermo fans living in and around the German city of Solingen have even founded a club named FC Rosaneri in honour of Palermo which, as of 2007, plays in the Kreisliga B league.[65][66][67]

Support for Palermo is traditionally closely associated with a strong sense of Sicilian identity; indeed, it is not uncommon to see Sicilian flags waved by fans and ultras during Palermo matches. Palermo fans are also twinned with Lecce ultras.[68] This friendship was strengthened by the acquisition of Fabrizio Miccoli, who is originally from the city of Lecce and a well-known Lecce supporter who went on to become captain of Palermo and also the club's most prolific player, setting records for: most Serie A league goals (74, from 2007 to 2013); most goals in all competitions (81, from 2007 to 2013); and most Serie A league appearances (165, from 2007 to 2013).

Palermo's biggest rivals are fellow islanders Catania. Matches between Palermo and Catania are usually referred to as Sicilian derbies, despite the existence of a third Sicilian team, Messina, who played in Serie A alongside Palermo and Catania in recent years. Rivalry with Messina, although historically older, is generally less intense than that with Catania.

The 2006–07 return match between Palermo and Catania, played on 2 February 2007 at Stadio Angelo Massimino, Catania, is remembered due to the death of policeman Filippo Raciti who was injured during riots between the local police and the Catania supporters.

According to a survey of 2008, the team has about 1.47 million fans domestically, placing it among the top ten best-supported Italian teams. For example, at the Coppa Italia final played in Rome on 29 May 2011 against Inter, which Palermo lost 3–1, it was estimated that there were 25,000 - 35,000 fans from Palermo, easily outnumbering the Nerazzurri fans present.

Players

[edit]

Current squad

[edit]
As of 20 September 2025[69]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  SEN Alfred Gomis
3 DF  ITA Tommaso Augello
5 MF  ITA Antonio Palumbo
6 MF  FRA Claudio Gomes
8 MF  ITA Jacopo Segre
9 FW  ITA Matteo Brunori (captain)
10 MF  ITA Filippo Ranocchia
11 MF  GHA Emanuel Gyasi (on loan from Empoli)
13 DF  ITA Mattia Bani
14 MF  SRB Aljoša Vasić
17 MF  ITA Samuel Giovane (on loan from Atalanta)
19 DF  POL Bartosz Bereszyński
No. Pos. Nation Player
20 FW  FIN Joel Pohjanpalo
21 FW  FRA Jérémy Le Douaron
22 GK  ITA Francesco Bardi
23 DF  MLI Salim Diakité
27 DF  ITA Niccolò Pierozzi
28 MF  FRA Alexis Blin
29 DF  POL Patryk Peda
30 GK  ITA Michele Avella
31 FW  ITA Giacomo Corona
32 DF  ITA Pietro Ceccaroni
66 GK  FIN Jesse Joronen
72 DF  ITA Davide Veroli (on loan from Cagliari)

Palermo Primavera

[edit]
As of 19 September 2025

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
15 DF  ITA Ettore Nicolosi
18 MF  ITA Pietro Avena
63 GK  LVA Nils Balagušs
No. Pos. Nation Player
77 GK  ITA Simone Pizzuto
80 MF  ITA Salvatore Squillacioti
86 MF  ITA Valerio Brutto

Other players under contract

[edit]
As of 26 August 2025

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
MF  ITA Valerio Verre

Out on loan

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK  ITA Sebastiano Desplanches (at Pescara until 30 June 2026)
GK  ITA Manfredi Nespola (at Arzignano until 30 June 2026)
GK  ITA Francesco Cutrona (at Virtus Francavilla until 30 June 2026)
GK  ITA Francesco Di Bartolo (at Sondrio until 30 June 2026)
DF  ITA Alessio Buttaro (at Foggia until 30 June 2026)
DF  USA Kristoffer Lund (at 1. FC Köln until 30 June 2026)
DF  GRE Dimitrios Nikolaou (at Bari until 30 June 2026)
No. Pos. Nation Player
DF  ITA Ernesto Runza (at Ravenna until 30 June 2026)
DF  ITA Giangiacomo Magnani (at Reggiana until 30 June 2026)
MF  SVN Leo Štulac (at Reggiana until 30 June 2026)
MF  BIH Dario Šarić (at Antalyaspor until 30 June 2026)
FW  FRA Stredair Appuah (at Valenciennes until 30 June 2026)
FW  ITA Federico Di Francesco (at Catanzaro until 30 June 2026)

Former players

[edit]

In 2020, as part of the club's 120th anniversary celebrations, Palermo announced a hall of fame selection, with eleven players and a manager selected from a list of over 100 proposals.

The most voted players were:[70]

Club officials

[edit]

Managers

[edit]

In 2020, as part of the celebrations for the club's 120th anniversary, Palermo announced a hall of fame selection, asking their supporters to select the best manager in the club's history among a list of successful ones from the past.

The best manager in the club's history was selected to be Francesco Guidolin, who led Palermo to win promotion to Serie A in 2004 after a 31-year absence, and sixth place in the top flight (best result in the club's history) and consequent first ever European qualification the year after.[70]

Other candidates for all-time manager were (in order of votes):

Chairmen history

[edit]

Over the years Palermo has had various owners and chairmen; here is a chronological list of the known chairmen:[5]

Joseph Whitaker, honorary chairman during the early 1900s
  • England Edward De Garston (1900–1903)
  • Italy Barone Michele Vannucci (1903–1904)
  • Italy Cavaliere Ignazio Majo Pagano (1904–1908)
  • Italy Barone Roberto Pottino (1908–1915)
  • Italy Valentino Colombo (1920–1923)
  • Italy Cavaliere Michele Utveggio (1923–1925)
  • Italy Valentino Colombo (1925–1926)
  • Italy Conte Liotta di Lemos (1928)
  • Italy Barone Giovanni Sergio (1928)
  • Italy Conte Guido Airoldi (1928–1929)
  • Italy Barone Luigi Bordonaro di Gebbiarossa (1929–1931)
  • Italy Francesco Paolo Barresi (1931–1933)
  • Italy Cavaliere Giovanni Lo Casto Valenti (1933–1934)
  • Italy Valentino Colombo (1934–1935)
  • Italy Giovanni De Luca (1935)
  • Italy Luigi Majo Pagano (1935–1936)
  • Italy Valentino Colombo (1936–1937)
  • Italy Paolo Di Pietra (1937–1938)
  • Italy Salvatore Barbaro (1938–1940)
  • Italy Duilio Lanni (1941–1942)
  • Italy Giuseppe Agnello (1942–1947)
  • Italy Stefano La Motta (1947–1948)
  • Italy Giuseppe Guazzardella (1948–1951)
  • Italy Raimondo Lanza di Trabia (1951–1952)
  • Italy Barone Carlo La Lomia (1952–1953)
  • Italy Mario Fasino (1953–1954)
  • Italy Ernesto Pivetti (1954–1955)
  • Italy Giuseppe Trapani (1955)
  • Italy Conte Arturo Cassina (1955–1956)
  • Italy Giuseppe Seminara (1956–1957)
  • Italy Casimiro Vizzini (1957–1963)
  • Italy Conte Guglielmo Pinzero (1963–1964)
  • Italy Ernesto Di Fresco, Italy Luigi Barbaccia, Italy Franz Gorgone (1964)
  • Italy Casimiro Vizzini (1964)
  • Italy Conte Guglielmo Pinzero (1964)
  • Italy Totò Vilardo (1964–1965)
  • Italy Franco Spagnolo (1965)
  • Italy Franz Gorgone (1965)
  • Italy Luigi Gioia (1965)
  • Italy Giuseppe Pergolizzi (1967–1970)
  • Italy Renzo Barbera (1970–1980)
  • Italy Gaspare Gambino (1980–1982)
  • Italy Roberto Parisi (1982–1985)
  • Italy Salvatore Matta (1985–1986)
  • Italy Salvino Lagumina (1987–1989)
  • Italy Giovanni Ferrara (1989–1993)
  • Italy Liborio Polizzi (1993–1995)
  • Italy Giovanni Ferrara (1995–2000)
  • Italy Sergio D'Antoni (2000–2002)
  • Italy Maurizio Zamparini (2002–2017)
  • United StatesItaly Paul Baccaglini (2017)
  • Italy Giovanni Giammarva (2017–2018)
  • England Clive Richardson (2018–2019)
  • Italy Rino Foschi (2019)
  • Italy Alessandro Albanese (2019)[73]
  • Italy Dario Mirri (2019–)

Honours

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Other Titles

[edit]
  • Winners (1): 1920
  • Whitaker Challenge Cup
  • Winners (1): 1908
  • Winners (5): 1910, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915

Records

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Italian striker Luca Toni holds the record for most goals in a single season with Palermo, scoring 30 times during the club's 2003–04 Serie B campaign
  • Most appearances in all competitions – 373, Roberto Biffi (1988–1999)
  • Most European appearances – 15, Andrea Barzagli, Franco Brienza and Mattia Cassani
  • Most Serie A league appearances – 165, Fabrizio Miccoli (2007–2013)
  • Most league goals – 74, Fabrizio Miccoli (2007–2013)
  • Most Serie A league goals – 74, Fabrizio Miccoli (2007–2013)
  • Most Serie B league goals – 44, Carlo Radice (1930–1932)
  • Most Serie C/C1 league goals – 25, Matteo Brunori (2021–2022)
  • Most Coppa Italia cup goals – 7, Massimo De Stefanis (1979–1984)
  • Most Europa League/UEFA Cup goals – 4, Franco Brienza (2005–2007), Abel Hernández (2010–2011)
  • Most goals in all competitions – 81, Fabrizio Miccoli (2007–2013)
  • Most goals in a season – 30, Luca Toni (2003–2004)
  • Current player with most appearances – 156, Matteo Brunori (as of 12 April 2025)
  • Biggest win and biggest home win in Serie A – 8–0 (v. Pro Patria, 5 November 1950)
  • Biggest away win – 8–1 (v. Potenza, 1 March 1942)
  • Biggest defeat and biggest away defeat – 0–9 (v. Milan, 18 February 1951)
  • Biggest home defeat – 0–7 (v. Udinese, 27 February 2011)
  • Highest number of points in Serie A league – 65 pt. (2009–10) 5th position
  • Best series without home defeats – 31 (Palermo–Vibonese 0–0, 10 April 2021 – Palermo–Perugia 2–0, 13 August 2022)
  • Greatest series of consecutive victories in Serie A league – 5 (1961–62 and 2006–07)

Competitions

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League

[edit]
Level Category Participations Debut Last season Moves

A

Serie A 29 1932–33 2016–17 Decrease 9

B

Serie B 50 1930–31 2025–26 Increase 9
Decrease 3 ✟ 3

C

Prima Divisione 1 1929–30 Increase 6
Serie C 3 1941–42 2021–22
Serie C1 9 1984–85 2000–01
Serie C2 1 1987–88 Increase 1
87 out of 90 years of professional football in Italy since 1929

D

Serie D 1 2019–2020 Increase 1

National cups

[edit]
Competition Participation Debut Last season
Coppa Italia 69 1935–36 2025–26
Coppa Italia Serie C 12 1984–85 2021–22
Supercoppa di Serie C 1 2000–01 2000–01

International competitions

[edit]
Category Participations Debut Last season
Europa League
ex UEFA Cup
5 2005–06 2011–12
Mitropa Cup 2 1960 1968–69
Coppa delle Alpi 1 1960 1960

In Europe

[edit]

UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League

[edit]
Season Round Opposition Home Away Aggregate Reference
2005–06 First round Cyprus Anorthosis 2–1 4–0 6–1 [74]
Group B Israel Maccabi Petah Tikva 2–1 1st
Russia Lokomotiv Moscow 0–0
Spain Espanyol 1–1
Denmark Brøndby 3–0
Round of 32 Czech Republic Slavia Prague 1–0 1–2 2–2 (a)
Round of 16 Germany Schalke 04 1–0 0–3 1–3
2006–07 First round England West Ham United 3–0 1–0 4–0 [75]
Group H Germany Eintracht Frankfurt 2–1 4th
England Newcastle United 0–1
Turkey Fenerbahçe 0–3
Spain Celta Vigo 1–1
2007–08 First round Czech Republic Mladá Boleslav 0–1 (a.e.t.) 1–0 1–1 (2–4 p) [76]
2010–11 Play-off round Slovenia Maribor 3–0 2–3 5–3 [77]
Group F Czech Republic Sparta Prague 2–2 2–3 3rd
Switzerland Lausanne-Sport 1–0 1–0
Russia CSKA Moscow 0–3 1–3
2011–12 Third qualifying round Switzerland Thun 2–2 1–1 3–3 (a) [78]

References

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Palermo Football Club, commonly referred to as Palermo FC or simply , is a professional Italian football club based in , , that competes in , the second tier of the . Founded on November 1, 1900, as Anglo Palermitan Athletic & Foot-Ball Club by English expatriates led by figures such as Edward De Garston, the club adopted its current name in and is one of Italy's oldest football teams. Known as I Rosanero for their distinctive and kit colors—introduced in 1907—the club plays home matches at the , a 36,000-capacity venue named after a former president. Palermo has a storied history marked by five titles (in 1931–32, 1947–48, 1967–68, 2003–04, and 2013–14), four Serie C1 championships, and participation in European competitions during the mid-2000s, including a notable run in the Cup where they reached the group stage in 2005–06 and a group stage appearance in the in 2010–11. The club experienced financial turmoil, declaring bankruptcy in 2019 and restarting in Serie D before rapid promotions returned them to in 2022; since July 2022, majority ownership has been held by , which has invested in infrastructure like the Palermo City Football Academy opened in 2024. Early successes included five wins in the Lipton Challenge Cup between 1909 and 1915, while post-World War II eras saw Serie A promotions in 1959 and 1972–73, though the club has often oscillated between divisions amid ownership changes, including the controversial tenure of from 2002 to 2019.

History

Foundation and early years (1898–1947)

Palermo FC was officially founded on 1 November 1900 as Anglo Palermitan Athletic and Football Club by a group of English expatriates and local enthusiasts in , , marking one of the earliest introductions of to . The initiative was spearheaded by Ignazio Majo Pagano, a young Palermitan who had discovered the sport while studying in , in collaboration with members of the British community, including the English consul Joseph Whitaker. Edward De Garston served as the club's first president, with George acting as captain and coach. Although some archival documents reference football-related activities in Palermo as early as 1898, tied to correspondence with Whitaker, the consensus among club records establishes 1900 as the formal establishment date. The club operated initially as an amateur entity, focusing on friendly matches and local exhibitions to promote the game among the city's residents. Its debut official game occurred in 1901 against a team of British sailors, with Norman Olsen scoring the first goal in a 3-1 victory; the team wore white and red jerseys at the time. By 1907, the name had evolved to Football Club, and the distinctive and black ("rosanero") colors were adopted, reflecting a blend of local identity and British influence. Early competitions were limited to regional tournaments, such as the Lipton Challenge Cup, which won five times between 1909 and 1915, and the Trofeo dei Mille in 1910, where they defeated 5-1 in the final. The post-World War I era brought structural changes through mergers aimed at bolstering the club's viability amid Italy's developing football infrastructure. In 1919, following the war's disruption, Palermo merged with Libertas Palermo to form Unione Sportiva Palermo, refounded by a committee of university students and local sportsmen under barone Antonio Ugo. This union facilitated participation in the Campionato Lega Sud, a southern Italian league, where Palermo achieved dominance by topping the Sicilian group in 1921–22, 1923–24, and 1925–26, reaching the semi-finals in 1924 and securing the Coppa Federale Siciliana in 1920. These regional successes earned admission to the national championships after the 1925–26 season. In 1927, a further merger with Vigor Palermo reverted the name to Palermo Football Club, stabilizing operations under president Raimondo Lanza di Trabia, whose leadership emphasized professional development. The unification of Italian football leagues in 1929 positioned Palermo in the Prima Divisione, then the third tier, from which they rapidly ascended. The club earned promotion to ahead of the 1930–31 season and clinched a spot in for 1932–33 after a strong campaign, debuting with a 12th-place finish and drawing crowds to the newly built Stadio Littorio (later Renzo Barbera). Early stars like Turner, , and Ribolla contributed to this progress, with the team blending local talent and imported players to compete nationally. However, relegation followed in 1935–36, returning Palermo to . World War II severely disrupted the club's momentum, suspending organized football across Italy. Palermo competed in Serie B during the 1940–41 season but faced exclusion from federal registration in 1941, prompting a merger with Unione Sportiva Juventina Palermo to form Unione Sportiva Palermo-Juventina, temporarily adopting white and blue colors. The 1942–43 Serie A campaign, in which Palermo had begun play after promotion, was abruptly halted by Allied bombings and wartime chaos, with activities ceasing entirely from 1943 to 1945. In the immediate aftermath, the club reorganized in 1944 as Palermo Società Sportiva and participated in a provisional Central-Southern Serie A group in 1945–46, finishing seventh amid ongoing instability.

Post-war struggles and lower divisions (1948–2002)

Following , Palermo experienced significant organizational challenges as Italian football restructured under the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC). The club, operating as Unione Sportiva Palermo since , returned to competitive play but faced immediate difficulties, including a stint in during the 1948–49 season, where they finished 11th and avoided relegation to . Financial strains loomed large, with post-war economic hardships threatening stability, though the club avoided immediate bankruptcy through local support and FIGC integration. The and marked a period of instability, with Palermo oscillating between and brief promotions to . Notable achievements included second-place finishes in in 1955–56 and 1958–59, the latter earning promotion to for the 1959–60 season under manager Čestmír Vycpálek, though they were relegated after finishing 18th. Further movements followed: a third-place finish in 1960–61, promotion as champions in 1967–68 leading to in 1968–69 (20th place, relegated), and another appearance in 1972–73 (19th place, relegated). These cycles highlighted persistent financial and competitive challenges, confining the club largely to without sustained top-flight presence. In the , encountered severe financial pressures, culminating in a near-dissolution around 1973 amid mounting debts. Local businessman Renzo assumed the presidency in 1970, injecting stability and resources that prevented collapse and anchored the club in through much of the decade. Despite relegation to Serie C1 at the end of 1974–75 (16th in ), Barbera's leadership facilitated a return to by 1981–82 after promotion from Serie C1. This era also saw the emergence of organized supporter culture, with the ultras group Commandos Aquile forming in 1977, inspired by Roman fan organizations and adopting a left-wing that energized the Curva Sud at Stadio La Favorita. The 1980s brought further turmoil, including promotion to in 1981–82 (7th place that season) but ending with relegation after a 16th-place finish in 1985–86. Financial catastrophe struck in 1986, leading to FIGC expulsion and a forced restart in Serie C2 for 1987–88; the crisis was exacerbated by the mafia assassination of president Roberto Parisi in 1985. Recovery was gradual, with promotions back to in 1991 and 1993, alongside a victory in 1992–93. From 1975 to 2002, Palermo maintained a prolonged but inconsistent presence in , interspersed with Serie C stints due to relegations and financial woes. The exemplified mid-table mediocrity in , such as 12th in 1995–96 and 15th in 1999–2000, following promotions from Serie C1 in 1995 and 1999. Despite occasional playoff disappointments, like the failure to advance in 1985–86's relegation battle, the club avoided total collapse, buoyed by local investment and a growing fan base, though top-flight aspirations remained elusive.

Zamparini era: promotion to Serie A and European qualification (2002–2013)

In the summer of 2002, businessman Maurizio Zamparini acquired US Città di Palermo for €15 million, taking over a club that had recently returned to Serie B after years in lower divisions. Zamparini, previously the owner of Venezia, immediately invested in the squad and infrastructure, aiming to end the club's 31-year absence from Serie A. Under his leadership, Palermo underwent a rapid transformation, with significant signings and managerial changes signaling a new era of ambition. The breakthrough came in the 2003–04 Serie B season, when manager guided the team to the league title and promotion to for the first time since 1973. Key to this success was striker , who scored 30 goals that season, setting the stage for his exploits the following year. Guidolin's tactical discipline and Zamparini's financial backing allowed Palermo to build a competitive roster, including defensive reinforcements like , blending youth academy products with experienced acquisitions. Upon arriving in Serie A for the 2004–05 campaign, Palermo quickly established stability, finishing sixth and securing their first European qualification for the 2005–06 UEFA Cup. The club maintained top-flight presence through nine consecutive seasons until 2013, often hovering in the upper half of the table with near-misses for Champions League spots—such as fifth-place finishes in 2005–06 and 2006–07 under managers Luigi Delneri and Davide Ballardini. These years saw Palermo reach the Coppa Italia semi-finals in 2005–06 and the final in 2010–11, where they lost 3–1 to Inter Milan, highlighting their growing domestic competitiveness. European campaigns marked a pinnacle of the era, with Palermo advancing to the last 16 of the Cup in 2005–06 and participating again in 2006–07 and the 2011–12 Europa League. These runs exposed the team to high-level opposition and boosted the club's profile, with four Palermo players—, , Cristian Zaccardo, and Massimo Barone—featuring in Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning squad. Squad building emphasized talent, exemplified by the arrivals of in 2009 and in 2010, both of whom became global stars before departing; Pastore for €42 million to Paris Saint-Germain and Cavani for €12.5 million to Napoli. Youth integrations, such as Abel Hernández from the academy, further strengthened the roster, contributing to memorable victories like 2–0 wins over and Juventus in 2009–10. Zamparini's tenure also saw enhancements to the , renamed in 2002 to honor former president Renzo , with ongoing renovations to meet and European standards, including capacity expansions and modernizations completed in phases through the decade. These improvements coincided with peak fan engagement, as average attendances surged to over 25,000 during successful seasons, fostering a vibrant atmosphere that represented Sicilian pride on the national stage. Supporters embraced the rosanero's resurgence, turning the stadium into a fortress and amplifying the club's cultural significance in .

Decline under Zamparini and ownership changes (2013–2019)

Following the club's successful promotion from in the 2013–14 season under coach , Palermo returned to for the 2014–15 campaign, finishing 11th and securing survival despite ongoing instability under owner . The following year, in 2015–16, the team narrowly avoided relegation by finishing 16th, surviving on the final matchday after a chaotic season that saw eight different head coaches, including brief stints by and others amid Zamparini's frequent sackings. This period exemplified the managerial carousel that defined the later Zamparini era, with the owner ultimately employing over 30 coaches during his 16-year tenure from 2002 to 2018, contributing to on-field inconsistency and growing fan frustration. The decline accelerated in the season, where Palermo finished 19th and were relegated after a dismal campaign marked by poor results and further coaching changes. Returning to for 2017–18, the club achieved a fourth-place finish but lost in the promotion playoffs final to on aggregate, missing out on an immediate return to the top flight. Financial mismanagement under Zamparini, including irregularities in player contracts and image rights sales between 2014 and 2017, began to surface, leading to investigations by Italian authorities. In December 2018, amid mounting debts and protests from supporters demanding his resignation, Zamparini sold the club for a symbolic 10 euros to British-based Sport Capital Group, effectively ending his controversial ownership. However, the new owners failed to stabilize the finances, and during the 2018–19 Serie B season, Palermo initially finished fifth with playoff qualification but were hit by a FIGC tribunal ruling in May 2019 for administrative irregularities, placing them last in the standings and condemning them to relegation to Serie C. The licensing failure and subsequent bankruptcy declaration in June 2019 led to the original club's exclusion from professional football, prompting widespread fan protests against the prior regime and calls for local intervention. In the aftermath, a new entity, SSD Palermo, was formed in August 2019 by Sicilian entrepreneurs, with radio presenter and lifelong fan Dario Mirri taking a 50% stake as president and former club director Rinaldo Sagramola appointed as to lead the rebirth from Serie D. This transition marked the end of the Zamparini era, characterized by initial successes overshadowed by instability, financial woes, and supporter discontent.

City Football Group ownership and Serie B consolidation (2019–present)

Following the club's exclusion from professional football due to financial irregularities in 2019, local entrepreneurs Dario Mirri and Rinaldo Sagramola refounded it as Società Sportiva Dilettantistica , entering Serie D for the 2019–20 season. Under manager Pergolizzi, the team topped Group I, but the season was curtailed by the , with all amateur leagues suspended in March 2020; was awarded promotion to Serie C as one of the leading sides. The pandemic also disrupted the subsequent 2020–21 Serie C campaign, including match postponements due to positive cases within the squad, though secured fifth place and advanced to the promotion playoffs, where they were eliminated. In the 2021–22 Serie C season, Silvio Baldini took over as manager, guiding Palermo to third in Group C and victory in the promotion playoffs, including a record-breaking attendance of over 33,000 at for the final against Audace , marking the club's return to after three years. This resurgence laid the groundwork for broader investment, culminating in July 2022 when (CFG) acquired a 71% majority stake for approximately €13 million, with Mirri retaining 20% and Sagramola 9%; Mirri continued as president to preserve local ties. CFG's involvement emphasized long-term stability, youth development synergies across its network—including scouting ties to Manchester City—and fan re-engagement, with average attendances exceeding 20,000 in subsequent seasons as supporters rallied behind the "Rosanero" revival. Palermo's 2022–23 Serie B debut under new manager saw a solid mid-table finish of ninth place, with 46 points from 11 wins, highlighting defensive resilience despite integration challenges post-promotion. Corini remained in charge for the 2023–24 season, but after a mid-table slump, he was dismissed in April 2024; the team ended eighth with 52 points, missing playoffs by a narrow margin and demonstrating improved attacking output. The 2024–25 campaign featured further managerial transition to , focusing on youth integration and CFG resources, such as shared training methodologies; Palermo finished eighth with 52 points from 14 wins, 10 draws, and 14 losses, underscoring consolidation in the second tier. Under CFG, financial stabilization progressed through targeted investments, including €8 million in essential club operations by mid-2024, which halved prior deficits despite a reported €23.9 million production cost gap for the fiscal year ending June 2024; revenues grew via sponsorships and CFG-backed commercial synergies. Infrastructure upgrades centered on , with a June 2025 agreement extending the lease up to 99 years and allocating €3 million from municipal funds for renovations, complemented by CFG commitments to modernize facilities for enhanced fan experience and compliance. In June 2025, was appointed as the new head coach for the 2025–26 season. As of November 2025, in the 2025–26 season, Palermo sits fifth with 19 points from 11 matches (5 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses), leveraging a youth-focused strategy with loans and collaborations from CFG affiliates like Manchester City to push for promotion playoffs.

Club identity

Colours, crest, and kit evolution

Palermo FC's traditional colours are pink and black, referred to as rosanero, which have defined the club's identity since their adoption in 1907. Originally founded in 1900 as Anglo Panormitan Athletic and Football Club, the team initially wore white and red kits in homage to the , before switching to red and blue halves in 1907; the pink and black bicolour emerged that same year, reportedly inspired by the colours of during a tour by Genoese players to . These hues were temporarily altered to yellow and red in 1940 under the fascist regime, aligning with the municipal colours of Palermo, but were restored to rosanero after following strong supporter protests. The rosanero palette symbolizes a deep connection to Sicilian identity, evoking the island's vibrant and resilience, as highlighted in club documentaries exploring the colours' origins. The club's home kit traditionally features vertically striped pink and black shirts paired with black shorts, a design that has remained largely consistent while incorporating subtle variations in stripe width and shading over the decades. Away kits have historically alternated between white and all- bases, often accented with pink elements to maintain the rosanero theme, providing contrast during matches. Third kits and special editions have introduced creative twists, such as the centenary kit, which paid homage to the club's founding with a retro pink and blending historical motifs. The evolution of Palermo FC's crest reflects key milestones in the club's history, beginning with simple monograms in the early 1900s, such as the intertwined "PFC" letters used from 1907 to 1921. In 1921, under president Valentino Colombo, the crest shifted to incorporate pink and black colours matching the kit, moving away from prior white and blue schemes associated with an earlier club merger. A significant redesign occurred in 1987 following the club's refoundation as Unione Sportiva Palermo, introducing a shield with vertical rosanero stripes supporting a municipal eagle emblem—representing the city of Palermo's coat of arms—with the bird perched assertively to symbolize strength and vigilance. This eagle motif, drawn from Sicilian heraldry, became central to the badge, evoking the nickname Le Aquile (The Eagles). After the club's and rebirth in as Palermo FC under new ownership, the crest underwent a modern simplification: a white eagle's head emerging from a stylized black "P," flanked by three pink and black feathers, emphasizing streamlined aggression and continuity with the rosanero heritage. This update, unveiled amid plans for return, focused the eagle as the dominant element to project renewed ambition while retaining symbolic ties to Palermo's civic pride.

Sponsors and kit manufacturers

Palermo FC's sponsorship deals have historically featured a mix of local Sicilian businesses and international brands, evolving significantly with the club's competitive status and ownership changes. In the 1980s and 1990s, sponsors were predominantly regional firms, such as Vini Corvo (1981–1982) and Pasta Ferrara (1983–1984), reflecting the club's lower-division presence and focus on community ties. By the early 2000s, under Maurizio Zamparini's ownership, partnerships shifted toward more prominent entities, including Banca Nuova (2002–2004) and the owner's own retail chain Emmezeta, which served as the primary sponsor throughout much of the decade to bolster financial stability during the club's Serie A ascent. The Zamparini era (2002–2019) marked a pivot to global and betting-related sponsors, aligning with European qualification and increased visibility. Notable deals included Pramac (2008), Betshop (2009–2010), and Eurobet (2010–2013), which complied with pre-2019 FIGC regulations allowing sponsorships to enhance revenue streams—contributing to annual sponsorship income estimated at around €5 million in the mid-2010s. These partnerships helped offset operational costs, with overall marketing and sponsorship revenues reaching approximately €6.3 million in recent financial reports, underscoring their role in club sustainability. Under ownership since 2019, sponsorships have emphasized lifestyle and brands, such as Decò Gruppo Arena (2019–2023) and Old Wild West (2023–2025), while adhering to Italy's 2019 Dignity Decree ban on gambling advertising—a policy under review for potential reversal as of 2025 to aid clubs' financial recovery. The current main partner, Sicily by Car (since 2025), promotes regional and integrates with CFG's global network, appearing on the chest of match kits alongside sleeve sponsor L.T. Costruzioni. Kit manufacturing partnerships have similarly progressed from Italian specialists to international firms, often incorporating the club's rosanero colors. Early suppliers in the 1970s–1980s included Ennerre, followed by ABM (1988–1996) and (1996–1999). Lotto supplied kits from 2000–2010 during the promotion to , succeeded by (2010–2012 and 2017–2019), Puma (2012–2014 and 2023–present), and (2014–2017). held the contract from 2019–2023, producing custom designs before Puma's return aligned with CFG synergies, featuring anniversary editions for the 2025–2026 season.
PeriodKit ManufacturerNotable Features
1970s–1980sEnnerreBasic kits for lower divisions
1988–1996ABMIntroduction of sponsor logos
1996–1999Transitional designs pre-Serie A push
2000–2010LottoSerie A-era kits with global appeal
2010–2012Cost-effective local production
2012–2014PumaEuropean styles
2014–2017Spanish-influenced modern cuts
2017–2019Post-relegation budget focus
2019–2023Custom rosanero patterns
2023–presentPumaCFG-integrated, anniversary specials

Stadium and facilities

The Stadio Renzo Barbera, commonly known as La Favorita, serves as the home venue for Palermo FC and is located in the northern outskirts of Palermo, Sicily. Constructed in 1932 during the fascist era and initially named Stadio Littorio, the stadium was designed to host athletic events and football matches, with an original capacity exceeding 40,000 spectators. It underwent significant post-war modifications in 1948, including the removal of the running track and addition of end stands, to better accommodate football. The venue was officially renamed Stadio Renzo Barbera on September 18, 2002, in honor of the club's former chairman during its previous stint in Serie A. As of 2025, the all-seater stadium has a capacity of 36,365. The stadium has a rich history of international and domestic significance, notably hosting three group stage matches at the , including games involving and the . To prepare for the tournament, major renovations occurred between 1989 and 1990, which included structural reinforcements, widened seating distances for safety, and capacity adjustments that reduced the overall number to around 37,619 while improving visibility and compliance with international standards. Further upgrades in 2002 ensured the facility met requirements, such as enhanced lighting and seating configurations, coinciding with Palermo's promotion push under new ownership. These improvements transformed the aging venue into a modern football ground capable of supporting top-tier competition. Owned by the Municipality of Palermo, the stadium operates under a long-term concession agreement with Palermo FC, which was extended in 2025 to potentially last up to 99 years, securing the club's usage rights amid the City Football Group's ownership since 2019. This arrangement includes collaborative investments for maintenance and enhancements. Beyond matches, the stadium hosted numerous music concerts in the , featuring international artists, though such events largely ceased in the due to wear on the pitch and shifting priorities. Following Palermo's 2019 acquisition by , safety upgrades have been implemented, including €3 million in municipal funding for modernization efforts like improved barriers, surveillance, and accessibility features to meet contemporary regulations. Palermo FC's primary training facilities are centered at the City Football Academy Palermo, inaugurated in April 2024 in Torretta, approximately 20 km from the city center. This state-of-the-art complex, the club's first owned training ground in its history, features two natural grass pitches, a dedicated area, a gymnasium, medical facilities, and a clubhouse blending Sicilian architectural elements with modern amenities. It serves as the hub for the first team and youth academy, supporting over 200 young players across various age groups with specialized training programs and residential options. Prior to this, from around 2020, the club utilized the Centro Sportivo Pasqualino in nearby Carini for training sessions and youth development, marking an early step in infrastructure improvements under .

Supporters and culture

Fan base and attendance

Palermo FC's supporter base is deeply rooted in Sicilian identity, with the majority of fans hailing from the island and exhibiting strong regional loyalty that transcends the club's league status. This connection is evident in the frequent display of Sicilian flags at matches and the passion of local communities, particularly in and surrounding areas, where the club serves as a symbol of regional pride. Many supporters are working-class who view Palermo as an extension of their , fostering a familial bond with the team that persists through promotions and relegations. The ultras culture is prominent among Palermo fans, centered in the Curva Nord section of , where groups like Commandos Aquile—formed in 1977 as one of Italy's pioneering organizations—lead organized support. Other notable factions include Palermo and Brigate Rosanero, which have been active since the late 1970s and contribute to the vibrant atmosphere through coordinated displays. Attendance figures reflect this dedication, peaking during the club's stint in the 2000s with season averages around 22,000 and individual matches often surpassing 30,000, such as high-profile fixtures against rivals. However, numbers dipped significantly during lower-division struggles, averaging about 5,600 in the 2021–22 season amid financial turmoil, before rebounding to approximately 20,730 in the 2024–25 campaign as the club stabilized. In the ongoing 2025-26 season, average attendance has continued to rise, reaching approximately 21,500 as of November 2025, reflecting sustained fan support. Fan culture emphasizes communal rituals, including rhythmic chants like "Palermo! a Palermo" and elaborate tifos that celebrate club milestones, such as the 125th anniversary choreo in 2025 or an Oasis-themed display during a preseason friendly. International fan clubs, including Euro Palermo FC Supporters for European expatriates and USC Palermo International Supporters, extend this passion globally, particularly among Sicilian diaspora communities in and mainland . Under ownership since 2022, initiatives have targeted inclusivity, including the integration of the existing Palermo F.C. Women team, which competes in Serie C, and youth programs at the City Football Academy Palermo, promoting female and underage participation while combating gender-based violence through stadium campaigns. Supporters demonstrated remarkable loyalty during the 2018–19 crisis, when financial irregularities led to the club's exclusion from ; fans organized protests against former owner and rallied with over 17,000 attending the debut Serie D home match in September 2019, setting a league record. This resilience fueled the post-rebirth growth, with attendance steadily increasing from Serie D highs of nearly 16,000 averages in 2019–20 to current levels, underscoring a fan base that has sustained the club through and restructuring.

Rivalries and derbies

The rivalry between Palermo FC and Catania is the most prominent in Sicilian football, known as the Derby di Sicilia or Sicilian Derby, rooted in longstanding regional tensions between Palermo, the island's capital and cultural hub, and Catania, its second-largest city and industrial center. The clubs first met in an official league match on November 1, 1936, in Serie B, ending in a 1–1 draw, though their antagonism traces back to earlier regional competitions and the cities' historical competition for dominance in Sicily. This fixture is characterized by intense passion and mutual disdain, often marked by heated atmospheres and occasional volatility, reflecting broader east-west divides on the island. Notable encounters include the 2000–01 Serie C1 season clashes, highlighted by Palermo's 5–1 victory over Catania on 22 October 2000, which underscored Palermo's dominance during their promotion push. Palermo's rivalries extend to other Sicilian clubs, forming a triangular dynamic among the island's major teams. Matches against , another historic side from northeastern , are sometimes referred to as a Sicilian Derby and contribute to this broader intrasland competition, particularly during periods when all three clubs—Palermo, , and Messina—competed in higher divisions, such as the season. Historical tensions also exist with smaller clubs from southern , including those in , stemming from regional pride and occasional lower-league encounters that amplify local identities. The Sicilian Derby has been marred by significant incidents of violence, most notably on February 2, 2007, during a match at 's . Palermo won 2–1, but post-match riots led to the death of police officer Filippo Raciti, aged 38, who suffered fatal liver trauma from a blunt object thrown amid clashes between fans and authorities; the game was abandoned amid chaos, with supporters hurling flares, rocks, and explosives at police. This tragedy prompted the indefinite suspension of all Italian league matches, severe penalties for —including a four-year ban on home games with spectators, a points deduction, and stadium closure—and nationwide reforms like enhanced surveillance, stricter fan ID checks, and bans on away to curb . Peace initiatives followed, including fan-led dialogues and anti-violence campaigns by Italian football authorities to foster safer environments for derbies. The Derby di Sicilia holds profound cultural significance in Sicily, symbolizing regional pride and historical nuances that transcend sport, with extensive media coverage portraying it as one of Italy's most volatile fixtures due to its blend of fervor and occasional brutality. It boosts local economies through increased , merchandise , and event-related spending in host cities, while reinforcing Sicilian identity amid the island's east-west cultural contrasts. Following financial crises—Palermo's 2019 bankruptcy leading to in Serie D and Catania's 2022 —the rivalry has been renewed in lower leagues, with both clubs rebuilding and occasionally crossing paths in Serie C, maintaining its intensity despite reduced visibility.

Current squad and youth

First-team squad

As of November 2025, Palermo FC's first-team squad for the 2025–26 season comprises 25 professional players, with an average age of 28.2 years and a mix of Italian and international talent to provide depth across positions. The squad is captained by forward , who has been a consistent leader and top scorer in recent campaigns. Key signings such as Finnish striker and French forward Jérémy Le Douaron bolster the attack, while defensive reinforcements like Polish centre-back add solidity. Under head coach , appointed in June 2025, the team employs a preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, emphasizing a back three, wing-backs for width, and dual attacking midfielders supporting the forwards to balance defense and counter-attacks. Most players are contracted through 2026–2028, ensuring stability, though a few like face expiry in June 2026. As of November 2025, Alfred Gomis is sidelined with a broken arm until December 11, 2025, with no other major injuries or suspensions reported.

Goalkeepers

No.PlayerNationalityAgeContract ExpiryMarket Value
66Jesse Joronen3230/06/2026€350k
1/3230/06/2026€350k
22Francesco Bardi3330/06/2027€350k
30Michele Avella2530/06/2026€350k

Defenders

No.PlayerNationalityAgeContract ExpiryMarket Value
13Mattia Bani3130/06/2028€1.5m
32Pietro Ceccaroni2930/06/2027€1.2m
72Davide Veroli2230/06/2026€800k
29Patryk Peda2330/06/2028€2m
3Tommaso Augello3130/06/2027€1.5m
27Niccolò Pierozzi2430/06/2028€2m
23Salim DiakitéMali/France2530/06/2028€1.5m
19Bartosz Bereszyński3330/06/2026€700k

Midfielders

No.PlayerNationalityAgeContract ExpiryMarket Value
6Claudio Gomes/2530/06/2027€2m
28Alexis Blin2930/06/2027€1.8m
10Filippo Ranocchia2430/06/2028€3m
5Antonio Palumbo2930/06/2028€2m
8Jacopo Segre2830/06/2027€1.5m
17Samuel Giovane2230/06/2026€1.5m
14Aljosa Vasic/2330/06/2028€2m
-Valerio Verre3130/06/2027€1.5m
11Emmanuel GyasiGhana/Italy3130/06/2026€500k

Forwards

No.PlayerNationalityAgeContract ExpiryMarket Value
203130/06/2029€3m
21Jérémy Le Douaron2730/06/2029€2.5m
9Matteo Luigi Brunori (Captain)Italy/Brazil3130/06/2027€3m
31Giacomo Corona2130/06/2027€2m

Youth and reserve teams

Palermo's is centered around the Primavera team, which represents the under-19 squad and competes in the Campionato Primavera 2, Italy's second-tier league. As of the 2025–26 season, the team participates in Group B, where it has engaged in competitive fixtures, including a 2–2 draw against on November 2, 2025, and a 2–0 victory over on October 18, 2025. The Primavera side achieved promotion to this level in May 2023 by defeating in the playoff final, marking a significant milestone in the club's development efforts. Historically, the team has secured one Italian Championship title at the Primavera level and one Supercoppa Primavera 2 win, underscoring its competitive pedigree within Italian football. The youth academy operates from the Palermo City Football Academy (CFA) in Torretta, approximately 20 km from Palermo, which was officially opened on April 7, 2024, and features two full-size natural grass pitches, training facilities, and amenities designed to support player growth. This marks the first time in the club's 125-year history that Palermo has owned its dedicated training center, previously relying on rented facilities since the early 2000s. Following City Football Group's majority acquisition of the club in July 2022 for approximately €13 million, substantial investments have been directed toward the academy, emphasizing global scouting networks, technical staff enhancements, and integration with CFG's broader ecosystem to identify and nurture talent from diverse regions. These initiatives aim to create clear pathways for young players to progress toward the first team, with recent examples including under-19 talents like Giosuè Grippa, who joined from Cagliari's youth setup in 2025. Notable graduates from the academy have included defenders like Emanuele Terranova and midfielders such as Maurizio Ciaramitaro, who advanced through the ranks to make first-team appearances and establish professional careers in Italian football. In the 2020s, the system has facilitated promotions for emerging players, contributing to the club's consolidation by providing depth and homegrown options. The academy's structure extends beyond the Primavera, encompassing under-17 and younger categories that compete in national championships, such as the Under-17 and B league, where Group C fixtures are contested regularly. Palermo's youth teams actively participate in prestigious tournaments like the , one of Europe's premier under-19 competitions established in 1949. The U19 side topped its group in the edition and advanced in subsequent years, reaching the final in 2016, where they lost 3–2 to Juventus, highlighting the academy's ability to perform on international youth stages. Complementing these efforts, the club maintains a network of 17 official football schools across , supervised by the youth sector, to scout and develop talent from levels through structured age-group programs.

Players on loan

As of the 2025–26 season, Palermo FC has loaned out several first-team and youth players to various clubs, primarily in Italy's lower divisions, to provide them with regular playing time and developmental opportunities. This approach aligns with the club's strategy following its relegation and subsequent rebuild, focusing on gaining experience in competitive environments to prepare talents for potential integration into the senior squad. Key outgoing loans include defender Alessio Buttaro, a 23-year-old Italian right-back, who joined Serie C club Calcio Foggia 1920 on August 21, 2025, for the season with no fee involved, aiming to build on his limited appearances at Palermo. Similarly, 27-year-old Greek centre-back Dimitrios Nikolaou was loaned to Serie B side SSC Bari on July 18, 2025, until June 30, 2026, to secure more consistent minutes after a challenging spell in Palermo's defense. Goalkeeper Manfredi Nespola, 20, moved to Serie C's FC Arzignano Valchiampo on July 16, 2025, on a free loan ending June 30, 2026, as part of his progression from the youth ranks. Other notable loans feature 19-year-old Italian goalkeeper Francesco Cutrona to Serie C's Virtus Francavilla Calcio on August 27, 2025, until June 30, 2026, and 22-year-old French-Italian goalkeeper Sebastiano Desplanches to Serie B's Delfino Pescara 1936 on August 8, 2025, for the same term, both without fees to foster their professional debuts. Among returnees impacting the squad, Nespola himself came back from a prior loan at Flaminia Castellana on July 1, 2025, before his immediate redeployment, while left-back returned from on June 30, 2025, and has since featured in pre-season preparations. These returns highlight Palermo's use of loans as a rotational tool for squad depth. No loans to City Football Group sister clubs, such as , were recorded for the 2025–26 campaign.
PlayerPositionAgeNationalityLoan ClubLoan TermSource
Alessio ButtaroRight-Back23 (Serie C)Aug 2025 – Jun 2026
Dimitrios NikolaouCentre-Back27 ()Jul 2025 – Jun 2026
Manfredi Nespola20FC Arzignano Valchiampo (Serie C)Jul 2025 – Jun 2026
Francesco Cutrona19Virtus Francavilla (Serie C)Aug 2025 – Jun 2026
Sebastiano Desplanches22/France ()Aug 2025 – Jun 2026

Notable former players

Palermo FC has produced and hosted several iconic players who left lasting legacies, as evidenced by the club's official Hall of Fame, where fan votes highlight their contributions to the team's campaigns and European ventures. Among the most celebrated is Argentine playmaker , who joined in 2009 and became a cornerstone of the midfield with his vision and creativity, amassing 82 appearances and 16 goals during his tenure. Pastore's elegant style earned him 3,835 votes in the Hall of Fame, underscoring his role in elevating Palermo's attacking play before his high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain. Uruguayan striker holds a prominent place as one of the club's all-time leading goalscorers, netting 37 goals in 117 appearances from 2007 to 2010, including a breakout 2009-10 season with 13 goals that helped secure a sixth-place finish. Cavani's pace and finishing prowess garnered 1,702 Hall of Fame votes, and his performances at Palermo launched his international career with , where he became a key figure in multiple and squads. Italian forward served as captain from 2007 to 2012, leading with 179 appearances and 81 goals, including a club-record 19 goals in the 2009-10 season that propelled Palermo to a strong mid-table position. Topping the Hall of Fame with 4,183 votes, Miccoli's technical skill and leadership made him a rosanero legend, while his 31 caps for highlighted his broader impact. In the pre-Zamparini era (before 2002), defender Roberto Biffi stands out with a club-record 373 appearances from 1988 to 1999, providing defensive stability during periods of and C1 competition. Post-2019, following the club's financial restructuring, winger contributed dynamically with 10 goals in 64 appearances across and C campaigns until his 2025 transfer to , adding flair to the attack during the promotion push. Palermo's all-time appearances leader remains Biffi, while Miccoli ranks among the top goalscorers with his 81 strikes, surpassing many in the modern era. Internationally, players like Cavani for (105 total goals by Uruguayan players at the club) and Italian World Cup winners (31 caps, 3,495 Hall votes) and (scorer in the final) amplified Palermo's global profile through national team successes.

Management and personnel

Ownership and board of directors

Palermo FC is majority-owned by (CFG), which acquired an 80% stake in the club in July 2022 for approximately £11.2 million (US$13.6 million), marking the group's expansion into Italian football. Local entrepreneur and lifelong Palermo supporter Dario Mirri retains a 20% stake and continues to play a prominent role in the club's administration. This ownership structure integrates Palermo into CFG's global network of 13 clubs, emphasizing sustainable development and compliance with (FIGC) regulations. The board of directors is led by Chairman and President Dario Mirri, who oversees strategic decisions and maintains a strong connection to the club's Sicilian roots. Managing Director and CEO Giovanni Gardini handles day-to-day operations, focusing on commercial growth and financial stability. Other key board members include Simon Richard Cliff, Alberto Galassi, Theodore Macbeath, and , representatives from CFG providing expertise in international football management. In financial roles, Salvatore Di Chiara manages budgeting and fiscal compliance, ensuring adherence to FIGC licensing requirements. Historically, the club experienced significant ownership shifts, with Maurizio Zamparini acquiring control in 2002 and leading Palermo to Serie A prominence before selling a majority stake in 2018 amid financial pressures. This led to a period of instability, culminating in the original club's bankruptcy in 2019 and the formation of a new entity, SSD Palermo, under Mirri's leadership in Serie D. The 2022 CFG acquisition stabilized the club, facilitating its promotion to Serie B and the integration of a women's team into the main structure in 2023, now competing in Serie C under unified governance.

Coaching and technical staff

The coaching staff for Palermo FC's 2025–26 season is headed by , appointed on 17 June 2025 to a two-year contract with an option for a third year, bringing his Pro License and experience from managing in to guide the team's promotion efforts in the league. His assistants and support team, largely carried over from his time at , emphasize tactical preparation and physical conditioning tailored to demands. The technical area is led by Carlo Osti, hired on 3 January 2025 to oversee scouting, transfers, and youth integration, drawing on his prior roles at Napoli and Sampdoria where he contributed to squad building for competitive campaigns. Osti's role includes coordinating with head scouts like Leonardo Masieri to identify talents for the first team and reserves, supporting the club's objectives. Recent post-2024 hires reflect a strategic refresh for sustained performance, including Inzaghi's full staff in June–July 2025 and medical head Marco Bruzzone in July 2025, who previously managed health protocols at with a focus on and recovery programs. Bruzzone leads the medical team, ensuring athlete welfare through specialized physiotherapy and nutrition support.
RoleNameQualifications/BackgroundJoined
Head CoachUEFA Pro License; former manager at , Jun 2025
Assistant CoachMaurizio UEFA A License; assistant at , RegginaJul 2025
Goalkeeping CoachMichele MarottaUEFA B License; youth coach at PalermoJul 2025
Goalkeeping CoachFederico OrlandiUEFA A License; coach at Jul 2025
Fitness CoachLuca AlimontaCertified athletic trainer; at Jul 2025
Fitness CoachDaniele CominottiCertified athletic trainer; at Jul 2025
Fitness CoachGiuseppe BellistriCertified trainer; at Real youthJul 2025
Technical CollaboratorEvans SoligoUEFA B License; youth coach at VeneziaJul 2025
Match AnalystSimone BaggioData analysis specialist; at Jul 2025
Rehab CoachSimone SigilloPhysiotherapy certification; at SalernitanaJul 2025
Rehab CoachDomenico GiordanoPhysiotherapy certification; at Neftchi Aug 2025
Head of MedicalMarco BruzzoneMedical degree; head at Jul 2025

Managerial history

The managerial history of Palermo FC dates back to the club's founding in 1900, when , an Englishman and one of the founders, served as the inaugural captain and coach. In the early , following the club's formal organization, Italian coaches like Pietro Quartana (1921–1922) and Michele Ultveggio (1923–1925) led the team through regional competitions, establishing a foundation amid inconsistent results in the lower divisions. Throughout the mid-20th century, Palermo experienced frequent managerial changes, often involving foreign coaches from and , such as Gyula Feldmann (1931–1934) and Károly Csapkay (1934–1935, 1936–1937), who guided the club through and early stints but struggled with relegations. Notable stability came in the and under figures like Gipo Viani (1949–1951) and Carmelo Di Bella (1967–1971), with Di Bella achieving a 45% win rate over 140 matches, helping secure promotions and mid-table finishes. The 1970s and 1980s saw further turnover, with Italian coaches like Corrado Viciani (1973–1975) posting a 40% win rate amid regional titles, though the club yo-yoed between divisions. The arrival of owner in 2002 marked a turbulent era defined by rapid sackings, earning him the nickname "manager eater." Under his tenure until 2017, Palermo employed at least 29 coaches, including 10 between 2015 and 2018, with the season alone seeing eight changes, starting with (sacked after eight winless games) and cycling through , Beppe Iachini (reinstated), Davide Ballardini, , Fabio Viviani (interim), Walter Novellino, and ending with Ballardini again. Despite the instability, key successes included the 2003–04 Serie B promotion under , who took over mid-season and achieved a 55% win rate in 21 matches to secure first place after 31 years outside . also had multiple stints, including a brief 2016–17 role (38% win rate over 13 games) during the chaos and a longer 2022–2024 term with a 40% win rate across 70 matches, focusing on consolidation. Post-Zamparini, short tenures persisted, particularly after 2013 amid financial woes and relegations, with an average coach lasting under six months in struggles. From 2017 to 2019, managers like Bruno Tedino (42% win rate in 2017–19) and Roberto Stellone navigated and a Serie D restart. In the reformed Palermo FC era, stability improved slightly in , with Rosario Pergolizzi (2019–2020, 48% win rate) and returning for promotion pushes, though patterns of mid-season dismissals continued, as seen with Michele Mignani's brief 2024 stint (30% win rate over 10 games). As of November 2025, serves as head coach, appointed in June 2025 on a two-year deal following Alessio Dionisi's tenure (1.34 points per game in 41 matches).

Chairmen and presidents

Palermo FC's leadership has evolved through various chairmen and presidents who navigated the club's fortunes amid financial challenges and competitive shifts. In its early years, the club was established in 1900 as Anglo Palermitan Athletic & FootBall Club, with Edward De Garston, the British vice-consul in Palermo, serving as the inaugural president. Ignazio Majo Pagano is credited with playing a key role in the club's founding, though De Garston held the formal leadership position during this formative period. Post-World War II, the club experienced renewal under figures like Raimondo Lanza di Trabia, who became president in the 1950s and is noted for ambitious signings that propelled Palermo to for the first time in 1959, including the acquisition of Danish player Helge Bronée for a then-record 40 million lire. His tenure marked an era of aspiration for greatness, though it also sparked debates over costly transfers. From 1970 onward, Renzo Barbera assumed the chairmanship, overseeing the club's only Serie A season in 1972–73 and near-successes in the Coppa Italia during 1974 and 1975. Barbera's leadership fostered a deep connection with fans, leading to the stadium being named after him, but the period was marred by financial difficulties in the mid-1970s that threatened stability. The 1980s brought turbulence under Roberto Parisi, who served as president until his assassination by the in 1985 amid broader instability, including a relegation to Serie C1 in 1984 and eventual disbarment by the in 1986 due to inadequate facilities and financial woes. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Sergio D'Antoni took over as president, guiding the club back to in 2001 after years in lower divisions. The Zamparini era dominated from 2002 to 2018, with acquiring the club for €15 million and serving as president until 2017. Under his stewardship, Palermo achieved promotion to in 2004, enjoyed nine consecutive seasons in the top flight, and qualified for European competitions, including the Cup in 2005–06, through shrewd investments in talents like , , and . However, his tenure was controversial, marked by frequent managerial sackings—over 40 in 15 years—and escalating financial pressures that contributed to relegations and eventual bankruptcy in 2019. Since 2019, Dario Mirri has served as president, providing stability by leading the club from Serie D back to Serie B by 2022 following the bankruptcy and reformation.

Achievements

Domestic honours

Palermo FC has secured five Serie B titles, all resulting in promotion to Serie A, marking significant milestones in the club's ascent through Italian football's hierarchy. In the 1931–32 season, Palermo clinched their inaugural Serie B championship in the competition's third edition, finishing first with 50 points from 34 matches, including 21 wins, 8 draws, and 5 losses, while scoring 80 goals and conceding 35. This triumph, under the guidance of early club leadership, propelled the team into Serie A for the 1932–33 campaign, establishing Palermo as a competitive force in northern Italy's expanding professional leagues. Key contributions came from forwards like Carlo Radice, who led the scoring with 28 goals. After , Palermo won their second title in the 1947–48 season, topping Group C with 53 points from 30 matches (23 wins, 7 draws, 0 losses), scoring 76 goals and conceding 18, earning promotion to under manager Dávid Szigeti. The third title came in the 1967–68 season, where Palermo finished first with 57 points from 38 matches (24 wins, 9 draws, 5 losses), scoring 64 goals and conceding 29, securing promotion to . Managed by Carlo Facchini, the team relied on key players like full-back Franco Petralito. The club's fourth Serie B title arrived in the 2003–04 season, where Palermo dominated with 86 points over 42 matches (25 wins, 11 draws, 6 losses), securing automatic promotion back to after a long absence. Under manager , the team finished unbeaten at home and relied heavily on striker Luca Toni's prolific form, as he netted 30 goals, including hat-tricks in crucial wins against rivals like Salernitana and key strikes in the title-clinching 2–1 victory over on the final day. This success, following owner Maurizio Zamparini's investment, revitalized the club and set the stage for sustained top-flight presence. Palermo's fifth Serie B title was in the 2013–14 season, finishing first with 86 points from 42 matches (25 wins, 11 draws, 6 losses), scoring 62 goals and conceding 28, earning promotion to . Under managers (from October) and earlier, the campaign featured strong performances from forwards like . Palermo has yet to win the but has reached the final three times: in 1973–74 (lost to ), 1978–79 (lost to Juventus), and most notably in 2010–11, where they fell 1–3 to Internazionale on May 29, 2011, at the Stadio Olimpico in . Managed by Delio Rossi, the Rosanero advanced through rounds, defeating teams like in the semifinals on aggregate, with scoring vital goals en route. This marked Palermo's deepest run in the competition since 1979. Palermo has won the Serie C1 championship four times: in 1941–42 (wartime), 1945–46 (post-war), 1992–93 under manager Ignazio Arcoleo (achieving promotion to alongside the win), and 2000–01 by topping Girone B, paving the way for another ascent to the second tier. The club also captured the Serie C2 title in 1987–88, earning promotion to Serie C1. These victories represented key rebuilding phases amid financial and competitive challenges. In lower-tier national competitions, Palermo captured the Serie D Girone I title in the 2019–20 season amid the disruptions, finishing atop the standings with an unbeaten record in their played matches (20 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses for 63 points) and earning promotion to Serie C for the following year. Under coach Rosario Pergolizzi, standout performances came from Roberto Crivello and Arcangelo Florio contributing key goals in dominant home wins, such as a 4–0 rout of Igea Virtus. The awarded the promotion directly due to the league's early termination. The club has not won the .

Regional and minor titles

Palermo FC's early regional successes in were marked by dominance in the Lipton Challenge Cup, a prestigious southern Italian tournament sponsored by tea magnate Sir , which served as a precursor to organized national competitions. The club secured victory in five editions: 1910, 1912, 1913, 1914, and 1915, often defeating rivals from and other southern teams in challenge matches that highlighted the growing popularity of football in the region. These triumphs established as 's leading club during the pre-World War I era, fostering local rivalries and contributing to the sport's development in the island's amateur scene. In the post-war period, Palermo continued its regional prowess with a win in the in , a organized by the local featuring Sicily's top four clubs, where Palermo emerged victorious after prevailing in the eastern division and the final. The club also topped the Sicilian Group of the I Categoria in 1921–22, though it fell short in the southern finals against Audace , underscoring its consistent strength in inter-island competitions before the unification of Italian leagues. On the youth front, Palermo's Primavera team captured the title in the 2008–09 season, coached by Rosario Pergolizzi, defeating rivals in a national playoff format that affirmed the club's academy development during its stint. This achievement highlighted Palermo's investment in young talent, producing players who transitioned to the senior squad.

Competitive record

League participation and results

Palermo FC has competed in Italy's professional football leagues since the early , accumulating extensive participation across the divisions. As of 2025, the club has played 31 seasons in (including historical appearances in the 1930s–1950s and 1960s–1970s, plus 12 modern seasons primarily from 2004 to 2018), 58 seasons in , and 19 seasons in Serie C (now Lega Pro). These figures reflect the club's yo-yo status between divisions, marked by multiple promotions and relegations. In the all-time Serie A standings, Palermo ranks 17th with 1,030 matches played and 307 wins, accumulating significant points through consistent mid-table performances in the top flight. The club has earned 616 points across its campaigns since 2001, with 142 victories highlighting their competitive edge in the elite division. In , Palermo's long tenure has yielded five championship titles and a dominant all-time record, though exact aggregate points exceed 1,500 based on historical placements. The club's most successful Serie A period spanned 2004–05 to 2017–18, where Palermo established itself as a stable top-flight side. Highlights include a sixth-place finish in 2004–05 with 53 points from 12 wins, securing Cup qualification, and a peak of fifth place in 2009–10 under Delio Rossi, amassing 65 points from 18 wins and 11 draws. However, the era ended with relegation in 2016–17 after finishing 19th with just 26 points and 6 wins. A key promotion came in 2013–14, when Palermo clinched the title with a then-record-breaking 86 points from 25 wins in 42 matches, returning to the following season. Following administrative relegation from in 2018–19 due to financial irregularities, Palermo began a rapid ascent from the lower tiers. The club spent the 2019–20 season in Serie D before promotion to Serie C for 2020–21, where they finished seventh with 53 points from 14 wins and reached the promotion . In 2021–22, under coach Silvio Baldini, Palermo ended third in Serie C Group C with 66 points from 18 wins, then triumphed in the to secure promotion to , marking their return to the second tier after three years away. Since returning to in 2022–23, Palermo finished 9th (50 points) in 2022–23, 6th (57 points) in 2023–24, and as of November 2025, sit 8th in the ongoing 2024–25 season. This path underscored the club's resilience amid ownership changes and financial challenges.
SeasonLeaguePositionPointsWinsNotes
2004–05Serie A6th5312UEFA Cup qualification
2009–105th6518Best modern finish
2013–141st8625Serie B record points at the time; promotion
2016–1719th266Relegation
2020–21Serie C7th5314Reached promotion playoffs
2021–22Serie C3rd6618Promotion via playoffs
2022–239th5013-
2023–246th5715-
2024–258thN/AN/AOngoing as of November 2025

National cup performances

Palermo FC has participated in the over 50 times since its early editions, establishing itself as a regular competitor in Italy's premier domestic knockout tournament despite fluctuating league positions. The club's most notable achievements include reaching the final on three occasions, all of which ended in defeat, highlighting their capacity for competitive runs but ultimate heartbreak against stronger opponents. In the 1973–74 season, , competing from , mounted a significant upset by advancing to the final after eliminating higher-division sides in earlier rounds, including a quarter-final victory over . They faced in the final at the Stadio Olimpico, drawing 1–1 after extra time before losing 4–3 on penalties, with goals from for (7') and Sergio Magistrelli for (72') in regular time. This run exemplified 1970s giant-killings by a southern club against northern powerhouses. Similarly, in 1978–79, again reached the final from , defeating teams like Napoli in the semi-finals (2–1 aggregate) before falling 2–1 after extra time to Juventus, courtesy of goals from and . These campaigns underscored 's resilience in the tournament's group and knockout phases during that era. A more recent deep run came in the 2005–06 edition, where Palermo, now in , progressed to the semi-finals by overcoming (5–4 aggregate in the round of 16) and (3–0 in the quarter-finals). Against Roma, they secured a 2–1 home win in the first leg but lost 1–0 away, exiting on away goals after a 2–2 aggregate (goals from and Cristian Zaccardo for Palermo in the opener). This performance, under coach , saw Palermo score 12 goals across five matches, demonstrating attacking prowess with contributions from Toni (4 goals). In the 2010–11 season, Palermo returned to the final after a 4–3 aggregate semi-final triumph over (1–1 home, 3–2 away, with scoring twice in the second leg), only to lose 3–1 to Internazionale, with goals from (2) and . These key runs featured intense matchups against elite clubs, often decided by narrow margins. Beyond the , Palermo has competed in lower-tier domestic cups, achieving success in the . In the 1992–93 season, while in Serie C1, they won the tournament by defeating 1–0 in the final, securing their only title in this competition after previous final losses in 1988, 1990, and 1991. This victory, alongside promotion to , marked a pivotal moment in the club's resurgence.

European competition history

Palermo FC first participated in European competition during the 2005–06 season, entering the first round after securing a spot through Italy's adjusted UEFA allocations following the scandal, which granted additional places to non-involved clubs like Palermo for their 6th-place finish in the 2004–05 . The club navigated the first round with a 3–1 aggregate victory over and the second round against Anorthosis Famagusta (5–2 aggregate), before topping Group E with wins including 2–1 over Brøndby and 1–0 against Maccabi Petah Tikva. They advanced past in the round of 32 (4–2 aggregate) but were eliminated in the round of 16 by Schalke 04 (1–3 aggregate), with a notable 1–0 home win in the first leg featuring a goal from Franco Brienza. This campaign marked Palermo's deepest run in Europe, playing 10 matches with 6 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses. In the 2006–07 UEFA Cup, Palermo qualified directly for the group stage by finishing 5th in the . Drawn into Group H alongside Newcastle United, Fenerbahçe, , and Celta Vigo, they recorded 1 win, 1 draw, and 4 losses across 6 group matches (plus earlier rounds? No, direct group), finishing fourth with 4 points and exiting the competition. Highlights included a 1–1 home draw against Celta Vigo, but losses such as 0–1 home to Newcastle United ( scoring) and 0–3 away to Fenerbahçe ended their hopes. The 2007–08 season saw Palermo enter the first round via their 6th-place Serie A finish the previous year, but they were eliminated early with a 4–3 aggregate loss to after a 1–1 home and 3–0 away defeat. This brief campaign consisted of 2 , 0 wins, 1 , and 1 loss. Palermo returned for the as winners of the , entering the play-off round. They progressed past (3–0 aggregate) to reach Group F with , , and Lausanne-Sport, where they managed 3 wins, 1 , and 4 losses across 8 , finishing third and failing to advance. Key results included a 2–1 home win over (goals by and ) and a 1–0 victory against Lausanne-Sport, but losses like 0–2 at ended their hopes. Their final European appearance came in the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League, qualifying for the third qualifying round via a 5th-place Serie A finish in 2010–11. Drawn against , Palermo drew 2–2 at home and 1–1 away, resulting in a 3–3 aggregate elimination as Thun advanced on (Thun scored two away goals in the first leg).
SeasonCompetitionEntry RoundMatches PlayedWinsDrawsLossesBest Achievement
2005–06First round10622Round of 16
2006–07Group stage6114Group stage (4th)
2007–08First round2011First round
2010–11Play-off round8314Group stage
2011–12Third qualifying2020Third qualifying round
Overall, Palermo played 28 European matches between 2005 and 2012, achieving 12 wins, 7 draws, and 9 losses, with no progression beyond the knockout stages. Since then, the club has not returned to , having been relegated from in 2013 and experiencing further demotions, including bankruptcy in 2019 before reforming. Acquired by in 2022, Palermo currently competes in as of 2025, with ambitions to regain promotion and re-enter European football under the group's resources.

Records and statistics

Club records

Palermo FC holds several notable team records across its history in Italian football competitions. The club's largest victory came in the 1921–22 Divisione Nazionale season, when they defeated SC Vigor Trapani 12–0 on 22 January 1922. This remains the biggest win in the club's league history. Conversely, the heaviest defeat occurred in the 1950–51 campaign, with a 0–9 loss to on 18 February 1951. The record attendance for a Palermo match was 73,261 spectators, recorded during the 2010–11 final against on 29 May 2011 at in , where Palermo lost 1–3. Earlier historical matches, such as the 1961–62 victory over Juventus (4–2 away in ), highlight the club's competitive highs against prominent opponents. In terms of disciplinary records, Palermo received only one red card during the entire 2017–18 season, a relatively low figure compared to league leaders like with three. As of November 2025, in the ongoing 2025–26 season, Palermo has maintained a solid start with 5 wins, 4 draws, and 2 losses after 11 matches, accumulating 19 points and sitting fifth in the table, though specific streak records for the campaign are not yet standout compared to prior seasons.

Player achievements and statistics

Fabrizio Miccoli holds the record as Palermo FC's all-time leading goalscorer with 83 goals across 144 appearances in all competitions between 2007 and 2013. The club's current active goalscoring leader is , who has netted 77 goals in 174 appearances since joining in 2022, placing him second on the all-time list as of November 2025. For appearances, Roberto Biffi leads with 338 matches from 1988 to 1999, a testament to his longevity as a defender and occasional goal contributor with 17 strikes. Several Palermo players have earned individual accolades during their tenures, highlighting the club's role in nurturing talent. was named Young Footballer of the Year in 2010 after a standout debut season, where he contributed 5 goals and 10 assists in 37 appearances, helping secure a sixth-place finish. , during his 2007–2010 stint, led the team in scoring in the campaign with 13 goals in 27 matches, establishing himself as a prolific forward before his move to Napoli. Among foreign players, Brazilian-Italian striker set a notable benchmark in 2007–08 with 19 goals across all competitions (15 in ), powering Palermo to a fifth-place league finish and earning a high-profile transfer to Juventus. Other internationals like Uruguayan Cavani (37 career goals for the club) and Argentine Pastore have also left lasting impacts, with Cavani ranking ninth all-time in club scoring. As of 2025, active players continue to build on these legacies; Brunori's ongoing contributions position him as a key figure in Palermo's promotion push, while midfielders like Alexis Blin approach 100 appearances since 2023.
All-Time Top GoalscorersGoalsAppearances
(2007–2013)83144
(2022–present)77174
(2007–2010)37117
(2010–2016)31143
(2005–2007)3068

Attendance and financial records

Palermo FC experienced significant fluctuations in match attendance throughout its history, reflecting its varying competitive levels and fan engagement. During its successful stint in from 2004 to 2013, the club enjoyed peak average attendances of around 25,000 spectators per home game, driven by exciting campaigns and the novelty of top-flight football in . For instance, the 2004–05 season marked a high point with an average of 33,011 fans per match, the highest in club history up to that point, as supporters filled the to capacity for many fixtures. These figures underscored the passionate local support base, with total home attendance exceeding 600,000 across 19 games that season. Attendance dipped dramatically following the club's financial troubles and demotions in the late . After in , Palermo's 2019–20 campaign in Serie D saw averages hover around 5,000 per match, a stark contrast to Serie A highs, though early games post-relegation drew crowds of up to 17,000 amid renewed hope for revival. By the 2021–22 Serie C season, the average had stabilized at 5,758, reflecting challenges from lower-division status and the impacts of the on crowds. Recent returns to have seen gradual recovery, with 2022–23 averages reaching 20,389, bolstered by the stadium's 36,365 capacity and growing fan optimism under new ownership. On the financial front, Palermo's records highlight both lucrative highs and severe crises. The club's highest transfer fee received came in 2011 with the €42 million sale of to Paris Saint-Germain, a deal that shattered French transfer records and provided a vital cash injection during a period of stability. However, mounting debts culminated in proceedings in 2019, with reported liabilities of approximately €18 million, including tax arrears and operational shortfalls that forced the club's expulsion from . This led to a phoenix club formation and restart in Serie D, wiping the slate but erasing institutional history. Revenue streams peaked during the mid-2010s years, largely from TV rights deals that accounted for the majority of income for mid-table clubs like . Under City Football Group's ownership since 2022, finances have stabilized, with 2023–24 revenues reaching €24 million through diversified sources including matchday and commercial activities. As of 2025, participation has boosted sponsorship income, with new deals like the premium partnership with Sport and main sponsor by Car enhancing commercial viability toward an estimated €30 million for the 2024–25 campaign.

References

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