2014-2015 Serie A preview: Promoted Palermo capable of securing safety
Palermo were convincingly promoted as Serie B champions last season, and are now looking to re-establish themselves in the top flight.
Team name: U.S. Citta di Palermo
City: Palermo, Sicily
Last season’s finish: 1st in Serie B, promoted
Intro
Palermo are back in the big time. The Sicilians managed to escape calcio's second tier at the first time of asking last season, achieving a record-breaking points haul on the way. That's despite the rosanero having sacked coach Gennaro Gattuso just a few games into the campaign.
While managerial change at Palermo has been as common as changing one's socks, remarkably Gattuso's replacement, Beppe Iachini, turned things around and stormed Serie B. However, despite enjoying a similar feat at Sampdoria a few seasons ago and leading them back into Serie A, Iachini's record in the top flight doesn't quite match up to his second division plaudits.
Iachini was unable to save Siena from the drop two seasons ago, and has trigger-happy president Maurizio Zamparini to answer to. While he has been confirmed as the name who will start the season on the Palermo bench, things could quickly change at the drop of a hat. Ominously, the side have already crashed out of the Coppa Italia, though they look better set to survive the drop than the other two newly-promoted sides.
Key player
Andrea Belotti
The 20-year-old striker burst onto the scene with 10 goals last season. With Kyle Lafferty sold to Norwich City and top scorer Abel Hernández reportedly in negotiations with Benfica, much of the attacking onus will fall on Belotti's shoulders. A strike partnership with fellow youngster Paulo Dybala could be the difference and keep Palermo away from the relegation places.
Key departures and arrivals
In: Andrea Mantovani, Francesco Della Rocca, Luca Rigoni, Robin Quaison
Out: Emiliano Viviano, Kyle Lafferty
Reasons to watch
Zamparini’s outbursts
The Palermo president is very much a Jekyll and Hyde character. You simply don't know what's going to happen next. One day he could be praising the side, the next he could be lambasting the coach. Don't believe me? Just ask Francesco Guidolin, Gian Piero Gasperini, Delio Rossi and Giuseppe Sannino, who have all been part of the Palermo managerial merry-go-round more than once.
Never afraid to speak his mind, Zamparini will defend his club until the cows come home if he feels they have been wronged, and doesn’t mince his words in the press about referees, players or officials. Quite frankly, Serie A has been all the more boring without him, so put your feet up and enjoy the madness.
Where they might finish
Anywhere from the relegation places to mid-table.
