Roberto ANZOLIN 1959-61
This goalkeeper spent two years with Palermo before moving on to Juventus – where he made 230 appearances. His first season in Sicily ended in relegation from Serie A, but sticking it out in the Cadetti paid off as he helped the side earn an immediate return to the top flight. He won Italy Under-21 and B caps while wearing the Rosanero jersey.
Fabio GROSSO 2004-06
While this journeyman left-back, who rose up through the Divisions, has become famous for his amazing performances at the 2006 World Cup, Palermo fans had always known what the Rome-native was capable of. In two and a half seasons with the club he helped them from Serie B into Serie A and then into Europe, before departing for Inter at the end of the 2005-06 season.
Roberto BIFFI 1988-99
This Milan-born defender spent 11 seasons as a Rosanero, captaining the side and making a club record 321 League appearances. His shaggy blond hair made him a recognisable figure at the back as the club bobbed back and forth between Serie C and Serie B. While maybe not as illustrious or accomplished as some players to have worn the pink and black, there was no doubting his dedication to the club.
Andrea BARZAGLI 2004-
One of several Italian World Cup winners to have passed through the doors of the Renzo Barbera. The quality of his play is also his curse in the eyes of the Palermo fans – with Juventus constantly linked with him since the new season began. Earmarked as the new Fabio Cannavaro, his days in Sicily may be numbered but he will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression and a large hole in Francesco Guidolin’s back four.
Tarcisio BURGNICH 1961-62
Although the right-back spent just one season with Palermo, it was his breakthrough as a first-team regular in Serie A after spells with Udinese and Juventus. He played 31 games as the club recorded an impressive eighth place finish – their best top-flight finish for over 25 years. Typically for the Island side they could not retain their newfound gem and a switch to Inter followed, where he spent the rest of his career.
Franco CAUSIO 1969-70
Playing just one season for the club, it was his first full campaign as a Serie A player – having made just one prior appearance for Juventus. The season would end badly for the club – relegation back to Serie B – but the impact of ‘The Baron’ in midfield was one of the positives. His emergence convinced the Bianconeri to take a chance on him and a long and successful career followed.
Eugenio CORINI 2003-
A journeyman whose career looked likely to be winding down when he switched from Serie A Cinderella club Chievo in 2003 as a 33-year-old. However, the veteran became a lynchpin of the pink and black midfield – skippering them to promotion from Serie B and then more than holding his own the following campaign to emerge as one of the best midfielders in the Division.
Santiago VERNAZZA 1956-60
Argentine-born attacking midfielder who arrived at Palermo in 1956 after spells with Platense and River Plate in his home country. Nicknamed ‘Ghito’, he spent the best four years of his career wearing the pink and black – remembered for a seven-minute hat-trick at Como and a goal from the halfway line. His record of 62 goals from just 115 appearances marks him out as one of the club’s all-time stars.
Cestmír VYCPÁLEK 1947-52
After a single season with Juventus this Czech right-winger switched to Palermo, where he spent five seasons. His first year at the island club saw them promoted to Serie A and over the course of his career as a Rosanero he racked up 143 appearances. In 1958 he became club Coach and relocated his family to Palermo, before winning back-to-back Scudetti with Juventus. Uncle of former Lecce boss Zdenek Zeman.
Luca TONI 2003-05
Although Toni played just two seasons at the Renzo Barbera, what a set of campaigns they were! Racking up 50 goals, he helped the Rosanero into Serie A and then took them to a best-ever sixth place finish. His goals earned him a call-up to the Azzurri and arguably put Palermo on the right path to greatness.
Vito CHIMENTI 1977-79
Scored in the first minute of the 1979 Coppa Italia Final against Juventus as the Sicilians, then in Serie B, almost earned a famous victory before a late equaliser and an extra-time defeat. Joining in 1977, he struck 16 goals in his first season and in his second term hit 13. Despite a physique that didn’t obviously lend itself to athleticism, ‘The Bomber’ made a big impact at La Favorita with his silky skills and bicycle kicks.
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In two spells at the club Guidolin has taken the side to levels they couldn’t have dreamed of. After guiding them up from Serie B in 2005 – thanks to the goals of Luca Toni – for the first time since 1973, his departure for Monaco was a blow. However, back at the helm for 2006-07, he pushed his side into the top three – and for a long while had them listed as realistic Scudetto contenders.