Tedesco Becomes Bologna's New Coach: Serie A Debut at the Door, First Stop After Fenerbahçe

Bologna is placing a surprise coach on the bench after Vincenzo Italiano's departure. According to news from Sky Sport Italia, Gianluca Di Marzio, and the Italian press, Domenico Tedesco is very close to agreement with the club to become Bologna's new head coach. The 40-year-old Italian-German coach has worked in Germany, Belgium, Russia, and Turkey throughout his career; but he had never coached in Serie A. This agreement he has reached with Bologna will be his first club experience in his homeland.

Tedesco surpassed names like Eusebio Di Francesco and Fabio Grosso in the race. After Italiano's transfer file with Napoli was cancelled due to Allegri's preference, Bologna had two main candidates on its shortlist. The process that began with Di Marzio's announcement on May 28 reached its final stage with Sky Sport Italia's "Tedesco approaching" report. Tedesco's preference for the 4-2-3-1 system, offering tactical continuity with Bologna's structure during Italiano and previous Thiago Motta periods, was among the strongest reasons for the club management's choice.

Tedesco's last stop was Fenerbahçe. The Italian-German coach who took over after José Mourinho's resignation in September 2025 won the Turkish Super Cup in January. However, his contract was terminated after the Istanbul derby loss to Galatasaray on April 27, 2026, and the dimming of championship hopes. His Fenerbahçe-era record: 26 wins, 12 draws, 7 defeats in 45 matches.

His earlier career is also impressive. He served at Erzgebirge Aue, Schalke 04, Spartak Moscow, and RB Leipzig. He won the 2022 DFB-Pokal cup with RB Leipzig and reached the UEFA Europa League semi-final. Between 2023-2025 he was the head coach of the Belgium national team, completing Euro 2024 qualifications undefeated but eliminated in the round of 16 in the main tournament. His contract was terminated in January 2025 due to alleged friction with Romelu Lukaku.

For Bologna, the season is a different story. Italiano, who won the Coppa Italia in 2024-25 under his management and brought this cup to Bologna 51 years later, finished the team 8th this season, missing the European goal by three points. The first target for the new coach is a return to European cups. When the transfer window opens on July 1, Tedesco will take on the task of reshaping the squad.

For Tedesco, Italia means a new stage of his career. The first big league experience in his homeland, both a professional test and an emotional story.

 Gianluca Di Marzio