It had been 31 years since Palermo’s distinctive pink and black shirts adorned Italian football’s main stage before 2004 and they made quite an entrance. President Maurizio Zamparini, already a familiar figure from his time at Venezia, has pumped millions into a side that can now rival the top clubs.
The Sicilians are passionate people and the scenes in the city when promotion was confirmed will stay long in the memory. In one of the poorest areas of the country, the club was declared bankrupt in 1986 and this step back into the limelight could even revitalise the local economy.
The Rosanero have been relegated from Serie A on seven occasions in the past – with only Bari, Brescia, Atalanta and Genoa having dropped out more often – but have now established themselves as a Serie A outfit.
Following the Calciopoli scandal, a Champions League place and even an early title challenge were on the cards before a late slump secured only a UEFA Cup spot.
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