The 2019–20 season was Società Sportiva Dilettantistica Palermo's 1st season in Serie D, the fourth-highest division of Italian football, in their history, after the exclusion of the club from Serie B in summer 2019. However, this was the second time that Palermo participated in the fourth division: in the 1987–88 season the sicilian club played in Serie C2, after a year passed outside of any football league, because of bankruptcy in 1986.
Season review
Following Palermo's exclusion from Serie B, a phoenix club was established under the Article 52 of N.O.I.F. regulations, with Mayor of Palermo Leoluca Orlando responsible to choose the next ownership. On 24 July 2019, Mayor Orlando confirmed six declarations of interests had been presented on that regard; those included offers by Massimo Ferrero (Sampdoria owner and chairman), Lebanese-Swiss-English fund Zurich Capital Funds, fashion multinational company Capri srl, and a joint one by Dario Mirri (Palermo-based marketing entrepreneur, and nephew of historical club chairman Renzo Barbera) and Tony DiPiazza (Sicilian-American real estate mogul).[3]
The next day, Orlando announced to have chosen "Hera Hora srl", the joint Mirri-DiPiazza proposal, as the new owners.[4]
Under the new conditions, Hera Hora srl will control 90% of the new club, with a 10% to be specifically dedicated for a supporters' trust as specifically requested by the City of Palermo. Regarding Hera Hora srl (the controlling company of the new club), Mirri will personally control 10% of it, Damir srl (Mirri's main business company) 50%, and DiPiazza 40%. The new owners will also be supported by Rinaldo Sagramola, former Palermo managing director during the early Zamparini years (2004–2012), who will serve again in such role. As stated in their business plan, the new ownership plans to bring Palermo back to Serie A within three years, organize a women's football section (by means of acquisition and integration of an already existing local team), relaunch the youth system also through a collaboration with the minor local teams, open a club museum and build a new training centre nearby the stadium area.[5]
On 3 August 2019, as part of the inaugural press conference, the club announced the new managerial staff, featuring Renzo Castagnini (former Sagramola collaborator) as sporting director and Rosario Pergolizzi (former Palermo youth coach) as head coach;[6] the youth sector will instead be managed by Rosario Argento (former Palermo youth chief in the 2000s) and Leandro Rinaudo (a Palermo native and former club player).[7]
Players
Squad information
Players and squad numbers last updated on 1 February 2020.[8][9] Appearances and goals are counted for domestic leagues (Serie A, Serie B and Serie D), national cups (Coppa Italia and Coppa Italia Serie D) and international cup (UEFA Cup) and correct as of 1 March 2020.[10] Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
^Accardi played for Unione Sportiva Città di Palermo until the exclusion of the club from Serie B, then he was signed by the new phoenix club admitted to Serie D.
^Lucera last played for Youth Sector of Unione Sportiva Città di Palermo before signing for S.S.D. Palermo.
^ abAggregated from Youth Sector during the season.
Note: Match was initially scheduled for 8 March and it was meant to be played behind closed doors due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, but on 5 March it was postponed. On 9 March all sports events in Italy were suspended until 3 April due to a pandemic of COVID-19 in Europe and suspension was extended over time until 20 May, as Serie D was definitely suspended and match was cancelled.
Note: Match was initially scheduled for 22 March and it was meant to be played behind closed doors due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, but it was postponed because on 9 March all sports events in Italy were suspended until 3 April due to a pandemic of COVID-19 in Europe. Suspension was extended over time until 20 May, as Serie D was definitely suspended and match was cancelled.
Note: Match was initially scheduled for 29 March and it was meant to be played behind closed doors due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, but it was postponed because on 9 March all sports events in Italy were suspended until 3 April due to a pandemic of COVID-19 in Europe. Suspension was extended over time until 20 May, as Serie D was definitely suspended and match was cancelled.
Note: Match was initially scheduled for 5 April, but it was postponed because on 1 April all sports events in Italy were suspended until 13 April due to a pandemic of COVID-19 in Europe. Suspension was extended over time until 20 May, as Serie D was definitely suspended and match was cancelled.
Note: Match was initially scheduled for 9 April, but it was postponed because on 1 April all sports events in Italy were suspended until 13 April due to a pandemic of COVID-19 in Europe. Suspension was extended over time until 20 May, as Serie D was definitely suspended and match was cancelled.
Note: Match was initially scheduled for 19 April, but it was postponed because on 10 April all sports events in Italy were suspended until 4 May due to a pandemic of COVID-19 in Europe. On 2 May suspension was extended until 18 May, but on 20 May Serie D was definitely suspended and match was cancelled.
Note: Match was initially scheduled for 26 April, but it was postponed because on 10 April all sports events in Italy were suspended until 4 May due to a pandemic of COVID-19 in Europe. On 2 May suspension was extended until 18 May, but on 20 May Serie D was definitely suspended and match was cancelled.
Note: Match was initially scheduled for 3 May, but it was postponed because on 10 April all sports events in Italy were suspended until 4 May due to a pandemic of COVID-19 in Europe. On 2 May suspension was extended until 18 May, but on 20 May Serie D was definitely suspended and match was cancelled.
