Francesco Bolzoni

Francesco Bolzoni (born 7 May 1989) is an Italian football coach and former footballer who played as a midfielder, currently in charge as head coach of club Pro Patria.

He is a former Italy U21 international.

Playing career Internazionale Bolzoni started at San Colombano al Lambro before joining Inter's academy.

In 2008, Bolzoni renewed his contract with the club until 30 June 2012.

On 24 May 2009, in a match against Cagliari, he made his Serie A debut for Inter, coming in as a substitute for Cristian Chivu.

Genoa In July 2009, it was announced that Bolzoni had signed for Genoa along with Leonardo Bonucci for €3M each as part of the deal that saw Thiago Motta sign for Internazionale for €10 million.

In August 2009, he was loaned to Frosinone for €200,000.

Siena In July 2010, Siena signed Bolzoni on loan for €400,000 fact that occurred on 22 June 2011, for €1,050,000. On 23 June 2012 Siena bought him outright for another €425,000.

Palermo On 31 July 2013, Bolzoni left Siena's pre-season camp and completed the transfer to Palermo on the next day, for €1 million in a 4-year contract.

Novara On 1 February 2016, he was signed by Novara on a free transfer.

Spezia On 31 August 2017, Bolzoni joined fellow Serie B club Spezia, while Daniele Sciaudone moved in the opposite direction. Bolzoni was assigned number 7 shirt.

Bari In September 2018, Bolzoni joined newly refounded Serie D club Bari as a free transfer.

Loan to Imolese On 2 September 2019, he joined Serie C club Imolese on loan.

Loan to Lecco On 15 January 2020 he moved to Lecco. The loan was extended for the 2020–21 season on 1 September 2020.

Return to Bari Upon his return from loan, Bolzoni did not make any appearances for Bari in the first half of the 2021–22 season, and on 26 January 2022, his contract with the club was terminated by mutual consent.

Rapperswil-Jona On 28 July 2022, Bolzoni signed with Rapperswil-Jona in the third-tier Swiss Promotion League.

International career On 5 October 2007, Pierluigi Casiraghi called up Bolzoni, although still 18 years old, to form part of the Italy U-21 national team for the matches against Croatia and Greece.

On 21 November 2007, he made his debut for the Italy U-21 national team, in a qualification match against Faroe Islands but did not make the final 23-man squad for the tournament.

Management career In May 2023, Bolzoni announced his retirement from football due to a persistent knee injury. After retiring, Bolzoni was hired as assistant coach under Giuseppe Sannino at FC Paradiso.

In July 2024, Bolzoni took over as a youth coach at Pro Patria, in charge of the Under-19 team. On 11 December 2025, Pro Patria promoted him to head coach, following the dismissal of Leandro Greco.

Honours Inter Youth team Campionato Nazionale Primavera (Under-20 Italian Championship): 2006–07 Torneo di Viareggio: 2008