Domenico Tedesco is Bologna’s new coach. The Italian club officially announced the hiring of the Italian-German coach, who signed a contract until June 30, 2028, with the option of extending it for another season.
At 40 years old, Tedesco arrives at Bologna after a spell at Fenerbahçe, where he won the Turkish Super Cup in January 2026, but left his position in April. He takes over from Vincenzo Italiano, who amicably terminated his relationship with the club in May after two seasons marked by good results, including the Coppa Italia title in the previous season.
Profile of a versatile coach
Born in Rossano, Calabria, on September 12, 1985, Tedesco was raised in Germany and built a career marked by rapid advancement. He started in the youth teams of Stuttgart and Hoffenheim, gained prominence by saving Erzgebirge Aue from being relegated in the 2. Bundesliga and then led Schalke 04 to German runners-up in his first full season, guaranteeing a place in the Champions League.
He also played for Spartak Moscow, where he finished runner-up in Russia, and for RB Leipzig, the club with which he won the 2022 DFB-Pokal — the first major title in the Saxons’ history. He also commanded the Belgian national team and accumulated international experience that will now be tested for the first time in a Serie A team.
What changes for Bologna
Rossoblù finished the 2025/2026 season in 8th place in the Italian Championship and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Italiano’s departure, which left the club in good shape despite irregular results at the end, opened space for a renewal of the technical leadership.
The choice of Tedesco signals a commitment to a young coach, with offensive DNA and the ability to develop players, something that could help Bologna consolidate itself among the main Italian clubs and fight for European places more consistently. The coach takes over in July and will have the challenge of maintaining the competitive structure set up in recent years.
Recent trajectory
After leaving Leipzig in 2022, Tedesco had a period without a club in Germany before joining Belgium and then Fenerbahçe. The quick adaptation to different leagues and cultures reinforces the profile of an analytical and adaptable technician, characteristics valued by the Bolognese board for the medium and long-term project.
Bologna thus begins a new phase under the command of Domenico Tedesco, with expectations of technical continuity and the search for evolution on the national and continental scene.