The conclusion of the current season has barely settled, yet it’s already clear that Serie A will experience a markedly varied and unpredictable trajectory in the upcoming months. A significant shake-up is underway, with five of the league’s top ten clubs having parted ways with their head coaches, and Claudio Ranieri currently enjoying a managerial hiatus at Roma. Anticipate further managerial upheavals, as Juventus faces uncertainty over Igor Tudor’s future, while Cesc Fàbregas, now linked with Como, attracts interest from wealthier clubs. Meanwhile, Inter Milan, the runners-up, are contemplating a coaching change for Simone Inzaghi.
Could we see a similar level of managerial turnover as last summer, when 14 of the 20 Serie A teams appointed new managers? It’s entirely plausible, especially considering that many clubs in the lower half of the table are still exploring options in the transfer market and coaching staff changes.
Reflecting on the 2024-25 Serie A Season
This season will be remembered for Napoli’s historic fourth Scudetto, with Antonio Conte making history as the first coach to win Serie A titles with three different clubs. It also marked a rare moment of reconciliation for those still opposed to stripping Juventus of their 2005 and 2006 titles due to the Calciopoli scandal, with many viewing this season as a form of redemption.
In Naples, the year will be celebrated as the era of Scott McTominay, who joined from Manchester United in late August and quickly became Serie A’s Most Valuable Player. While he may not possess the star power of Napoli legends like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia or Diego Maradona, McTominay’s relentless influence was undeniable. His 12 goals, including eight decisive strikes that broke deadlocks in goalless matches, earned him the affectionate nickname “McFratm” or “McBro,” symbolizing his pivotal role in Napoli’s triumph.
The Rising Scottish Influence in Italy’s Top Flight
Scottish players continue to leave their mark on Serie A. Billy Gilmour, who shared the league-winning experience with McTominay at Napoli, made just 13 league appearances but delivered crucial performances, notably in the decisive victory over Cagliari that sealed the title. Similarly, Ché Adams transferred to Torino and scored ten goals across all competitions, further exemplifying the growing impact of Scottish talent in Italy.
Managerial Movements and New Opportunities
On Wednesday, Simone Inzaghi was announced as the new head coach of Al-Hilal, a prominent club in the Saudi Professional League. The Italian tactician left Inter Milan just days after their humiliating 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final. Reports suggest his contract with Al-Hilal could be worth up to €30 million (£25.3 million) annually. His initial task will be leading Al-Hilal at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where they will face Real Madrid on June 18 in their group stage.
Meanwhile, Cesc Fàbregas reaffirmed his commitment to Como amid rumors linking him to Inter as a potential replacement for Inzaghi. The former Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea midfielder has garnered attention from top clubs after guiding Como, a newly promoted side, to a respectable tenth place in Serie A. Fàbregas expressed his enthusiasm for the club’s long-term project, emphasizing his desire to work in the role he envisions, as he also holds a stake in the club.
Notable Player Performances and Season Highlights
Lewis Ferguson, who narrowly missed Champions League qualification with Bologna last year, returned from injury to captain his team to victory in the Coppa Italia-their first domestic trophy in over fifty years. Conversely, Liam Henderson experienced relegation with Empoli, but Josh Doig is poised to step into Serie A after helping Sassuolo secure promotion.
The season was fiercely competitive from top to bottom. The battle for the title, European qualification, and the relegation zone was decided only on the final weekend. At one point, it even appeared that the top two might need a playoff to determine the champion.
Among the season’s standout moments was Riccardo Orsolini’s jubilant celebration after scoring a 93rd-minute bicycle kick for Bologna, which ultimately influenced the title race. Lazio’s Pedro, a former Premier League star under Conte, scored a late equalizer against Inter, preventing them from clinching the top spot on the penultimate weekend.
Inter aimed for a clean sweep of trophies but fell short, even being surpassed by their fierce rivals, AC Milan. The Rossoneri’s dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to beat Inter in the Supercoppa final capped an extraordinary week for Milan, despite finishing eighth in the league under coach Sérgio Conceição.
Atalanta, under Gian Piero Gasperini, threatened to challenge for the title, winning 11 consecutive matches before fading to third place. Other clubs like Bologna, Roma, Lazio, and Fiorentina also vied for European spots, with Juventus making a mid-season managerial change that proved to be a turning point. Tudor’s decision to travel over 600 miles from Croatia to take charge of Juventus was vindicated as the team stabilized under his leadership.
Relegation Battle and Club Struggles
The fight to avoid relegation was equally intense. Monza, which struggled under Alessandro Nesta and then Salvatore Bocchetti, ultimately dropped to Serie B, as did Empoli, who were overtaken by Lecce, whose goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone was instrumental in their survival. Venezia also faced the drop after a season marred by poor results and a costly injury to Gaetano Oristanio.
Season-End Awards and Highlights
As the curtain falls, it’s time for the traditional Serie A season awards:
- 10) David Neres’ stunning solo run against Fiorentina.
- 9) Jurgen Ekkelenkamp’s elegant chip, a moment of pure artistry.
- 8) Nicolò Barella’s dazzling displays against Lazio and Atalanta.
- 7) Ché Adams’ goal from the center circle.
- 6) Moise Kean’s acrobatic volley on the turn.
- 5) The spectacular overhead kicks by Saúl Coco for Torino and Rolando Mandragora for Fiorentina.
- 4) Riccardo Orsolini’s inventive scissor kick against Scott McTominay.
- 3) Matías Soulé’s crucial goal in the Rome derby, earning extra points for style.
- 2) Ange-Yoan Bonny’s heel flick into the net, a goal of pure finesse, with Dan Ndoye’s finish surpassing it in elegance.
- 1) Paulo Dybala’s stunning volley, complemented by Artem Dovbyk’s clever backheel assist, making it the season’s most memorable goal.
Most Impressive Goals and Unforgettable Matches
Top goal moments include Amin Sarr’s incredible strike for Verona against Atalanta, and Luca Mazzitelli’s decisive goal for Lazio in a 5-1 victory over Como. The season’s most dramatic match was the October Derby d’Italia, where Inter and Juventus exchanged leads multiple times in a 4-4 thriller, highlighted by 19-year-old Kenan Yildiz’s late brace.
Seasonal Anecdotes and Notable Incidents
Among the season’s quirkiest moments was the miscommunication during a substitution at Atalanta, where Mirco Moioli mistakenly ordered Ademola Lookman off the pitch instead of Éderson, leading to a humorous and costly mix-up. Additionally, Lecce’s early-season heavy defeat to Fiorentina, where Antonino Gallo was sent off before halftime, exemplified the unpredictable nature of Serie A.
Reflections on the Season’s End
In closing, I want to highlight Claudio Ranieri’s final act at Roma. His team’s 1-1 draw with Lazio in April allowed him to retire undefeated in Rome derbies-a fitting, if bittersweet, farewell. “I’ve thought about that moment before and after,” Ranieri reflected. “As a fan, it’s wonderful to go undefeated, though I would have loved to finish with a win. But that’s football: sometimes it gives you joy, other times disappointment. You have to accept it.”
