Giuseppe Papadopulo
Encyclopedia
Giuseppe Papadopulo is an Italian football manager and former player, last in charge as head coach of Torino
.
, Lazio
, Brindisi
, Arezzo
, Salernitana
and Bari
, he started his coaching career in 1984 at Cecina
, a minor amateur team of Tuscany
. Then, after two years as assistant coach for Casertana, he debuted at the professional level in 1987 for Sorrento
. In 1989, he coached of Licata
, a small Sicilian
Serie B
team at the time.
After two other coaching experiences for Monopoli
and Perugia
, Papadopulo in 1993 drove Acireale
to a surprising promotion to Serie B. He then coached Avellino
, Livorno
, and led Fidelis Andria
to another Serie B promotion.
But, after two other short times with Lucchese
and Crotone
, Papadopulo finally had his luckiest success for A.C. Siena
(2001–2004), leading the team from Serie C1
to its first Series A ever, and even maintaining the top division the next year. Papadopulo was nicknamed il Papa (The Pope) by Siena fans during his period in the team, that he led from Series C to the Italian top division.
During the 2004–2005 season, Papadopulo was appointed as new coach of Lazio, replacing Domenico Caso
; however, he left his managing position at the end of the season. On January 29, 2006, Papadopulo has been called back to Sicily in order to replace Luigi Delneri at the helm of U.S. Città di Palermo
, and debuted with a surprising 3–0 win against AC Milan
for a match of Italian Cup. After a series of impressive results which led Palermo off the lower places in the standings, and despite a one-year renewal signed before the end of the season, Papadopulo was dismissed from the rosanero, in order to be replaced by Francesco Guidolin
.
On December 28, 2006 he became the new manager of Serie B
club Lecce
. In his second season with the giallorossi, Papadopulo obtained a third place in the Serie B final table, and then managed to defeat Pisa
and AlbinoLeffe
in the promotion playoffs, thus securing promotion to the top flight. Despite this, he left the club weeks later, after failing to reach an agreement with the club, who eventually decided to appoint Mario Beretta
at his place.
On April 14, 2009 was appointed new head coach of Bologna
, after Siniša Mihajlović
's dismissal.
On October 20, 2009 Papadopulo was fired as head coach of Bologna replaced by Franco Colomba.
On 9 March 2011 he was named new head coach of Serie B
fallen giants Torino
in place of Franco Lerda. His tenure at the helm of Torino turned out to last only a bare eleven days, marked with two defeats that convinced club chairman Urbano Cairo
to remove Papadopulo from his managerial duties on the 20th of March and reinstate Lerda at the head coaching position.
Torino F.C.
Torino Football Club, commonly referred to as simply Torino, is a professional Italian football club based in Turin, Piedmont, that was founded in 1906. The club has spent most of its history in the top tier in Italian football....
.
Career
A former footballer who played for LivornoA.S. Livorno Calcio
Associazione Sportiva Livorno Calcio is an Italian football club based in Livorno, Tuscany. The club was formed in 1915 and currently plays in Italian Serie B. The team's colors are dark red or maroon...
, Lazio
S.S. Lazio
Società Sportiva Lazio, commonly referred to as Lazio, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. The team, founded in 1900, play in the Serie A and have spent most of their history in the top tier of Italian football...
, Brindisi
F.B. Brindisi 1912 S.D.
Società Sportiva Dilettantistica Città di Brindisi is an Italian association football club located in Brindisi, Apulia. Its colors are white and blue....
, Arezzo
A.C. Arezzo
Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica Atletico Arezzo is an Italian association football club based in Arezzo, Tuscany...
, Salernitana
Salernitana Calcio 1919
Salerno Calcio, or simply Salerno is an Italian association football club from Salerno, Campania.The club is not the legitimate heir of the former Salernitana Calcio 1919, but there is however a sports continuity between the two companies thanks to Article 52 NOIF of FIGC, and the fact that they...
and Bari
A.S. Bari
Associazione Sportiva Bari is an Italian football club founded in 1908, they are based in Bari, Apulia and plays in Serie B. The club have spent many seasons bouncing between the top two divisions in Italian football, Serie A and Serie B....
, he started his coaching career in 1984 at Cecina
A.S. Cecina
Associazione Sportiva Dilettante Cecina is an Italian association football club located in Cecina, Tuscany. It currently plays in Serie D. Its colors are red and blue.-External links:*...
, a minor amateur team of Tuscany
Tuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
. Then, after two years as assistant coach for Casertana, he debuted at the professional level in 1987 for Sorrento
A.S. Sorrento Calcio
Sorrento Calcio is an Italian association football club from Sorrento, Campania, the club was founded during 1945. Currently the club compete in Lega Pro Prima Divisione after starting a promotion streak in 2005–06 when they were promoted from Serie D, followed by promotion from Serie C2.The club...
. In 1989, he coached of Licata
S.S.D. Licata 1931
Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica Licata 1931 is an Italian association football club located in Licata, Sicily. The traditional club colours of Licata is yellow and blue; known in Italy as giallloblu...
, a small Sicilian
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
Serie B
Serie B
Serie B, currently named Serie bwin due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It is contested by 22 teams and organized by the Lega Serie B since July 2010, after the split of Lega Calcio that previously took care of both the...
team at the time.
After two other coaching experiences for Monopoli
A.C. Monopoli
A.S.D. Liberty Monopoli is an Italian association football from Monopoli, Apulia. The club was refounded in 2003, and, after winning Eccellenza Apulia in 2004–05 , has played Serie D/H in 2005/2006, ending it in second place, and successively reaching the Serie D playoff finals ; therefore,...
and Perugia
Perugia Calcio
Associazione Calcistica Perugia Calcio is an Italian association football club based in Perugia, Umbria, direct heir of the old Perugia Calcio and A.C. Perugia, excluded from Italian football because of financial troubles....
, Papadopulo in 1993 drove Acireale
A.S. Acireale
Società Sportiva Dilettantistica Acireale Calcio 1946 is an Italian association football club, based in Acireale, Sicily. The club have spent most of their history in Serie C, although they have played for two seasons in Serie B.-History:...
to a surprising promotion to Serie B. He then coached Avellino
U.S. Avellino
Associazione Sportiva Avellino 1912 , since summer 2010, is the new name of the Italian football club, based in Avellino, Campania. The club was founded in 1912 and its traditional colours are green and white...
, Livorno
A.S. Livorno Calcio
Associazione Sportiva Livorno Calcio is an Italian football club based in Livorno, Tuscany. The club was formed in 1915 and currently plays in Italian Serie B. The team's colors are dark red or maroon...
, and led Fidelis Andria
A.S. Andria BAT
Associazione Sportiva Andria BAT or simply A.S. Andria is an Italian football club, based in Andria, Apulia.The team currently plays in Lega Pro Prima Divisione.The team's colors are blue and white.- Fidelis Andria :...
to another Serie B promotion.
But, after two other short times with Lucchese
A.S. Lucchese-Libertas
Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica Football Club Lucca 2011 is an Italian football club, based in Lucca, Tuscany that currently plays in Eccellenza Tuscany.The club was founded in 1905 and having last been in Serie A in 1952....
and Crotone
F.C. Crotone
Football Club Crotone is an Italian football club based in Crotone, Calabria. Founded in 1923, it currently plays in Serie B, holding home games at Stadio Ezio Scida, which has a 9,631-seat capacity.-History:...
, Papadopulo finally had his luckiest success for A.C. Siena
A.C. Siena
Associazione Calcio Siena is an Italian football club based in Siena.The club currently plays in Serie A, having gained promotion from Serie B at the end of the 2010-2011 season....
(2001–2004), leading the team from Serie C1
Serie C1
Lega Pro Prima Divisione is the name of the third highest football league in Italy. It consists of 36 teams, divided geographically into two divisions of 18 teams each. Until 2008 it was known as Serie C1....
to its first Series A ever, and even maintaining the top division the next year. Papadopulo was nicknamed il Papa (The Pope) by Siena fans during his period in the team, that he led from Series C to the Italian top division.
During the 2004–2005 season, Papadopulo was appointed as new coach of Lazio, replacing Domenico Caso
Domenico Caso
Domenico Caso is an Italian professional football coach and a former player. He is currently managing the youth team of A.S. Cisco Calcio Roma.-External links:*...
; however, he left his managing position at the end of the season. On January 29, 2006, Papadopulo has been called back to Sicily in order to replace Luigi Delneri at the helm of U.S. Città di Palermo
U.S. Città di Palermo
Unione Sportiva Città di Palermo is an Italian football club from Palermo, Sicily which currently plays in Serie A, the top level of Italian football. Formed in 1900 as Anglo Panormitan Athletic and Football Club, the club had various names before assuming its final form in 1987 and is currently...
, and debuted with a surprising 3–0 win against AC Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
for a match of Italian Cup. After a series of impressive results which led Palermo off the lower places in the standings, and despite a one-year renewal signed before the end of the season, Papadopulo was dismissed from the rosanero, in order to be replaced by Francesco Guidolin
Francesco Guidolin
Francesco Guidolin is an Italian football manager and former player, currently serving as head coach of Serie A outfit Udinese.-Playing career:...
.
On December 28, 2006 he became the new manager of Serie B
Serie B
Serie B, currently named Serie bwin due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It is contested by 22 teams and organized by the Lega Serie B since July 2010, after the split of Lega Calcio that previously took care of both the...
club Lecce
U.S. Lecce
Unione Sportiva Lecce or simply U.S. Lecce is an Italian football club based in Lecce, Apulia who play in the Italian Serie A. After being crowned Serie B champions in 2009–10, the team successfully managed to avoid relegation in 2010-11....
. In his second season with the giallorossi, Papadopulo obtained a third place in the Serie B final table, and then managed to defeat Pisa
Pisa Calcio
Associazione Calcio Pisa 1909 is an Italian association football club, based in Pisa, Tuscany. The club was founded in 1909 as Pisa Sporting Club and refounded in 1994 as A.C. Pisa , after the cancellation of the old one because of economical troubles...
and AlbinoLeffe
U.C. AlbinoLeffe
Unione Calcio AlbinoLeffe is an Italian association football club based in Leffe and also representing the town of Albino, in the Province of Bergamo, Lombardy. AlbinoLeffe plays its home games at the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia stadium, in the city of Bergamo, and its official colors are dark blue and...
in the promotion playoffs, thus securing promotion to the top flight. Despite this, he left the club weeks later, after failing to reach an agreement with the club, who eventually decided to appoint Mario Beretta
Mario Beretta
Mario Beretta is an Italian association football manager, last serving as head coach of Brescia in the Serie A league.-Career:Beretta had a short career as footballer, playing only for Pro Patria of Serie D....
at his place.
On April 14, 2009 was appointed new head coach of Bologna
Bologna F.C. 1909
Bologna Football Club 1909, known simply as Bologna, is an Italian Football League club based in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, formed in 1993. The club are nicknamed the rossoblù because of the red and blue striped shirts they wear. Red and Blue are the official colours of the town.During its history...
, after Siniša Mihajlović
Siniša Mihajlovic
Siniša Mihajlović is a Serbian football manager and former player. He was in charge of Serie A club Fiorentina since June 2010 to November 2011....
's dismissal.
On October 20, 2009 Papadopulo was fired as head coach of Bologna replaced by Franco Colomba.
On 9 March 2011 he was named new head coach of Serie B
Serie B
Serie B, currently named Serie bwin due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It is contested by 22 teams and organized by the Lega Serie B since July 2010, after the split of Lega Calcio that previously took care of both the...
fallen giants Torino
Torino F.C.
Torino Football Club, commonly referred to as simply Torino, is a professional Italian football club based in Turin, Piedmont, that was founded in 1906. The club has spent most of its history in the top tier in Italian football....
in place of Franco Lerda. His tenure at the helm of Torino turned out to last only a bare eleven days, marked with two defeats that convinced club chairman Urbano Cairo
Urbano Cairo
Urbano Cairo is an Italian businessman and chairman of Torino football club.Cairo is a native of Masio Alessandria, Piedmont. His principal business interest is in the Cairo Communications, a business which he founded and is today worth in excess of 230 million euros...
to remove Papadopulo from his managerial duties on the 20th of March and reinstate Lerda at the head coaching position.