Palladino: Kean ‘won the bet’, Bove has ‘secure spot in my staff’ | OneFootball

Raffaele Palladino says he and Fiorentina had ‘different views’ after his first season at the Stadio Franchi, while Moise Kean ‘won a bet’ and Edoardo Bove has a ‘secure spot’ in his staff if he can’t continue his career as a footballer.

Palladino spoke to Gazzetta about his one-year spell at the Franchi. The former Viola coach resigned at the end of the 2024-25 campaign, even though his contract had been automatically extended until 2027 only a few weeks earlier.

Palladino explains Fiorentina exit

FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 17: Head coach Raffaele Palladino manager of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between ACF Fiorentina and NK Celje at Stadio Artemio Franchi on April 17, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“I see football as a puzzle. All the pieces have to fit together to make it work. I’m proud of the work we did in Florence, but the conditions were no longer there to continue together. Our ideas and visions were too different,” Palladino explained.

The ex-Fiorentina boss said that every Fiorentina player called him after his resignation.

“Nobody expected it. I had only spoken with my staff and then directly with the club,” he said.

“I have to admit it. The players’ video calls and messages made me cry. With them, I lived through wonderful and very tough ones too, which is why something special was created. In fact, we still keep in touch today.”

Surely the toughest moment came in December 2024, when Bove suffered a heart attack during a Serie A match against Inter at the Stadio Franchi.

“It was a shock. The risk of losing a part of us forever was devastating. Someone in the dressing room didn’t even want to train anymore,” said Palladino.

“Luckily, a miracle saved Edo, but then it took delicate psychological work for us to start again together. Bove was simply fantastic: he came to Viola Park, lifted our spirits, he was always with us. For me, he became like a little brother.”

Rescuers and doctors saved Bove’s life by taking him to the hospital in just 13 minutes that day.

The Italian midfielder then had surgery to implant a removable heart starter device, which makes him ineligible to play in Serie A. Nevertheless, Bove is waiting for further tests to know whether he can resume his career, either in Italy or abroad.

Palladino hopes Bove can resume career as footballer

Edoardo Bove of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 6, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“I really hope so. Edo lives for football, and he must give everything to come back,” said Palladino.

“But even if that doesn’t happen, he knows that one day he’ll always have a secure spot in my staff.”

Lastly, Palladino spoke about Italy striker Kean, who was the second-best top scorer in Serie A last season with 19 goals.

“We had a bet set at 15 goals: he won it,” Palladino concluded.

“There was an instant spark with Moise. I already wanted him at Monza and he was the very first name I mentioned, together with Goretti, when I arrived in Florence.”