Palladino: Left Fiorentina over views, gamble on Kean paid off | OneFootball

After months of silence, Raffaele Palladino explains the reasons that led him to leave Fiorentina at the end of May, despite a freshly renewed contract and having secured European qualification on the pitch.

Palladino: “Farewell to Fiorentina due to different visions. With Kean, I made a winning bet”

The former Viola and Monza coach, interviewed by Gazzetta dello Sport, retraces his experience in Florence, amidst successes, difficulties, and intense human relationships.

“A puzzle that no longer fit together”

“I see football as a puzzle,” Palladino explains, “in which all the pieces must fit together. I am proud of the work done in Florence, but the conditions to continue were no longer there. The ideas and visions were too different.”

On May 7, on the eve of the semifinal against Betis, Fiorentina activated the two-year renewal clause, but the coach recounts: “That day I was happy, but inside I felt it was no longer possible to stay. It was a feeling I had carried with me for some time.”

“There were no other clubs”

Palladino denies rumors of parallel agreements: “I never left Fiorentina for money or for other clubs. When I made my decision, I had nothing lined up. In fact, for a week I didn’t even reply to messages. All my players wrote to me, they didn’t expect it. Their words made me cry.”

The joys and fears in Florence

Among his fondest memories, Palladino mentions three matches: “The victories at the Franchi against Milan, Inter, and Juventus. Unforgettable evenings, even with half the stadium closed for renovations.”

But there were also very tough moments, such as the case of Edoardo Bove: “It was a shock, we risked losing a part of ourselves. Some didn’t want to train anymore. Fortunately, Edo was an example: he came to Viola Park, lifted our spirits. For me, he became like a younger brother. If he doesn’t return to play, he will always have a place on my staff.”

The rebirth of Moise Kean

One of the most exciting chapters of his Viola experience was the revival of Moise Kean, who scored 25 goals in the 2024-25 season. “With him, I had a bet set at 15 goals: he won it. I already wanted him at Monza and he was the first name I mentioned when I arrived in Florence. There was an immediate spark between us.”

Monza, Galliani, and the special relationship

The coach does not forget his beginnings in Serie A: “I remain attached to my first year at Monza, but getting 65 points in Florence was harder. In two transfer windows, almost the entire squad changed.”

Then his thoughts turn to Adriano Galliani: “I owe a lot to him and to Berlusconi. With Galliani, we agreed on everything: from daily work to the transfer market. Elsewhere, it didn’t work like that.”

Palladino today and the future

After his farewell, Palladino took some time for himself: “I’m studying English, I go to the stadium, and with my staff, I analyze all the Serie A matches. We have to keep ourselves ready.”

On the young players who impressed him: “One from Verona. I already wanted him in January, but the club made other choices.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.