History of Bologna FC 1909 in Timeline

Bologna FC 1909 is a professional Italian football club based in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, competing in Serie A. The club boasts a history that includes seven Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia titles, and one UEFA Intertoto Cup. Founded in 1909, Bologna has established itself as a notable team in Italian football.

October 1909: Club Foundation

On October 3, 1909, Bologna was founded in Bologna, Italy. Carlo Sandoni was the club's sponsor and general manager, Louis Rauch became president, Guido Della Valle was vice-president, Enrico Penaglia was secretary, Sergio Lampronti was cashier, and Emilio Arnstein and Leone Vincenzi were councilmen.

1909: Bologna Chairmen from 1909

Bologna have had numerous chairmen over the course of their history from 1909 to the present day.

1909: Bologna FC 1909 Founded

In 1909, Bologna Football Club 1909 was founded. The club is based in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, and plays in Serie A. They have won seven top-flight titles, two Coppa Italia titles, and one UEFA Intertoto Cup.

1909: Bologna FC Founded and Serie A Founding Member

In 1909, Bologna was founded and became a founding member of Serie A. The club won many league championships during the late 1930s.

1909: Promotion Back to Serie A

In 2015, under the new ownership of BFC 1909 Lux Spv S.A., Bologna was promoted back to Serie A.

1909: Sale of the Club to BFC 1909

On October 15, 2014, the board of directors ratified the sale of the club to BFC 1909 Lux SPV.

March 1910: First Ever Game

On March 20, 1910, Bologna played their first game against Virtus, winning 9–1. The squad included Koch, Chiara, Pessarelli, Bragaglia, Guido Della Valle, Nanni, Donati, Rauch, Bernabeu, Mezzano, and Gradi.

1919: Semi-Finals of Northern Italian Competition

In 1919, Bologna reached the semi-finals of the Northern Italian competition, marking the beginning of their success after the First World War.

1920: Managers and Trainers from 1920

Bologna have had many managers and trainers, some seasons they have had co-managers running the team from 1920 onwards.

1923: Runner-Up in Northern League Finals

In 1923, Bologna reached the Northern League finals, finishing as runner-up to Genoa, who became the eventual national champions.

1924: Northern and National League Champions

In 1924, Bologna became Northern and National League champions for the first time, defeating Genoa CFC after five matches. The finals were marred by crowd troubles.

1927: Move to Stadio Renato Dall'Ara

In 1927, Bologna began playing in the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, the tenth-largest stadium by capacity in Serie A.

1928: Second Italian Championship

In 1928, Bologna won their second Italian championship, solidifying their foothold in Italian football. This was the last time the league was competed in the old system before Serie A was instated the following year.

1935: Scudetto Win

In 1935, Bologna won the Scudetto.

1936: Scudetto Win

In 1936, Bologna won the Scudetto.

1938: Scudetto Win

In 1938, Bologna won the Scudetto.

1940: Scudetto Win

In 1940, Bologna won the Scudetto during World War II.

1963: League Title Win

In 1963, Bologna took the league title.

1964: Last Serie A Championship

In 1964, Bologna won their last Serie A championship, bringing the club's total to seven. This qualified them for the 1964-65 European Cup.

1964: Last League Title

In 1964, Bologna won their last league title to date. They won two Coppa Italia titles in the 1970s before battling relegation in the late 20th century. The club changed ownership multiple times during the early 2000s and 2010s due to financial mismanagement, stabilizing under Joey Saputo's leadership.

1964: UEFA Champions League Berth

In the 2023–24 season under Thiago Motta, Bologna secured a UEFA Champions League berth for the first time since 1964–65 and established a new record of 68 points.

1981: Relegation From Serie A

In 1981, Bologna was relegated from Serie A after battling for survival with Cagliari and Genoa.

1988: Return to Serie A

In 1988, Bologna returned to Serie A after four years in Serie B.

1991: Relegation

In 1991, Bologna was relegated.

1993: Return to Serie C1

In 1993, Bologna returned to Serie C1.

1996: Return to Serie A

In 1996, Bologna returned to Serie A.

2004: Relegation After Playoffs

In 2004, Bologna was relegated from Serie A after losing to Parma in the playoffs.

2005: Team Sold to Alfredo Cazzola

During 2005, the team was sold by Giuseppe Gazzoni Frascara to Alfredo Cazzola, a local entrepreneur.

2005: Poor Season Start and Coach Sacking

In 2005, Bologna had a poor start to the season, leading to the sacking of coach Renzo Ulivieri, who was replaced by Andrea Mandorlini.

March 2006: Alfredo Cazzola bought the team; Mandorlini fired

In March 2006, Alfredo Cazzola bought the team from Giuseppe Gazzoni Frascara. Andrea Mandorlini was not able to improve the team's standing in Serie B and was fired on March 5, 2006. Renzo Ulivieri was then re-appointed as coach.

April 2007: Ulivieri Fired and Replaced by Cecconi

On April 14, 2007, head coach Renzo Ulivieri was fired after clashes with chairman Cazzola, and was replaced by caretaker Luca Cecconi.

November 2008: Arrigoni Sacked, Mihajlović Appointed

On November 3, 2008, Daniele Arrigoni was sacked after a 5–1 loss to Cagliari, and Siniša Mihajlović was appointed as the new manager.

February 2009: Curva Bulgarelli Dedicated to Giacomo Bulgarelli

On February 21, 2009, the curva Bulgarelli (Bulgarelli stand) in Stadio Renato Dall'Ara was dedicated to Giacomo Bulgarelli, who died that day.

April 2009: Giuseppe Papadopulo Appointed as Manager

On April 14, 2009, Giuseppe Papadopulo was appointed as the new manager. He successfully managed to avoid relegation to Serie B in the last match of the season.

2009: Survival under Franco Colomba

In the 2009-10 season, Bologna escaped relegation despite financial issues under new head coach Franco Colomba.

June 2010: Club Takeover by Sergio Porcedda

In June 2010, the Menarini family sold the club to Sardinian entrepreneur Sergio Porcedda.

August 2010: Franco Colomba Sacked Before Season Opener

On August 29, 2010, Franco Colomba was sacked right before the 2010-11 season opener, despite surviving relegation in the 2009-10 season.

December 2010: Consortium Bologna 2010 Acquires Club

On December 23, 2010, the consortium Bologna 2010, led by Giovanni Consorte and Massimo Zanetti, acquired the club from Sergio Porcedda after he failed to pay wages. Zanetti became chairman, and Gianni Morandi was appointed honorary president.

2010: Albano Guaraldi New Shareholder

Albano Guaraldi becomes the second largest shareholder of the consortium "Bologna 2010" with 17% of the quotas behind Zanetti in 2010.

January 2011: Zanetti and Baraldi Resign

On January 21, 2011, chairman Massimo Zanetti and CEO Luca Baraldi resigned due to differences with partners. Stefano Pedrelli became the new director general, and Marco Pavignani became chairman for 76 days.

April 2011: Albano Guaraldi New Chairman

On April 7, 2011, after the resignation of Pavignani, Albano Guaraldi became the new chairman, holding 17% of the quotas in the consortium Bologna 2010.

2013: Relegation to Serie B and Financial Problems

In 2013, Bologna was relegated to Serie B. The club faced financial problems and criticism of owner Albino Guaraldi, including the sale of Alessandro Diamanti to Guangzhou Evergrande.