Bologna reassure Italiano and push away Milan approach | OneFootball

Bologna CEO Claudio Fenucci confirms the negotiations with Milan target Vincenzo Italiano are going well for a new contract. ‘We just need to sort out a few details, but the intention is to continue together.’

The coach took over from Thiago Motta last summer and managed to do even better than his predecessor, winning the Coppa Italia for their first piece of major silverware in 51 years.

It has brought him to the attention of Milan, who want to poach the tactician for next season, but the club is determined to lock him down.

Bologna resist Milan pursuit of Italiano

BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 27: Rafael Leao of AC Milan and Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, interact during the Serie A match between Bologna and AC Milan at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on February 27, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“The intention of both parties is to continue together,” Bologna CEO Fenucci told Calciomercato.com.

“I had already told Vincenzo before the end of the season and the great results we achieved that we’d be happy to carry on together. I don’t know the timing, but Italiano has always shown himself to be enthusiastic about Bologna, the atmosphere, the city and the fans.

“We have everything needed to extend the contract, we just need to sort out a few details, but I hope in a reasonable timeframe we can get it done.”

ROME, ITALY – MAY 14: Lewis Ferguson, Lorenzo De Silvestri and Riccardo Orsolini of Bologna lift the Coppa Italia trophy as their team mates celebrate after the team’s victory in the Coppa Italia Final match between AC Milan and Bologna at Stadio Olimpico on May 14, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

According to reports, the first meeting to discuss a new deal edged closer to an agreement, but they are not there yet.

The plan is to extend his contract to June 2028, adding another two years to the current deal.

His salary can also climb to €2.8m per season net plus bonuses in case of repeating the Coppa Italia triumph and qualifying for Europe.

Another issue up for debate is that Italiano wants guarantees the squad will be competitive and not stripped for parts, something that Fenucci reassures everyone on.

“The desire as always is to build a competitive squad and try to keep all the best players in the team. We’ll have to see what happens, because there can be some situations like last season Joshua Zirkzee’s release clause, but if resources do arrive from sales, we will use those to further reinforce the side.”