Raffaele Palladino has stepped down as head coach of Fiorentina, leaving the managerial seat at the Artemio Franchi Stadium officially vacant.

Palladino took over last summer from current Bologna boss Vincenzo Italiano and impressed in his debut campaign. Under his guidance, Fiorentina finished sixth in Serie A—surpassing the likes of Lazio, AC Milan, and even Italiano’s Bologna.

The 40-year-old submitted his resignation earlier this morning. However, sources within the club suggest that Fiorentina are still working to convince him to reverse his decision.

In a surprising twist, the club had only recently triggered a contract extension clause to keep Palladino until 2027. That move came just weeks ago, ahead of their second-leg semi-final clash in the UEFA Europa Conference League against Real Betis.