Founded in 1920, Empoli Football Club (most commonly known simply as “Empoli”) is an Italian football club. As is the case with most football teams, they are named after their place of origin – Empoli, Tuscany.
While they are relatively unknown as a football club outside of Europe, Empoli has had its fair share of success. They have participated in 83 national championships, including 50 championships in the third tier, 20 championships in Serie B, and 13 championships in Serie A.
Below, we’ll take a look at everything there is to know about Empoli Football Club.
Basic Facts
- Full Name: Empoli Football Club
- Country: Italy
- City: Empoli
- Founded: 1920
- Home Ground: Stadio Carlo Castellani
- Nicknames Gli Azzum (“The Blues”)
- Chairman: Fabrizio Corsi
- Head Coach: Aurelio Andreazzoli
- League: Serie A
Home Grounds
Empoli Football Club’s home ground is Stadio Carlo Castellani. The stadium has a capacity of 16,800, although its original capacity was 19,800 before it was converted to an all-seated venue.
Located in the sporting district of Empoli on the Viale delle Olimpiadi, Stadio Carlo Castellani is named after Carlo Castellani who was a football player born in nearby town Montelupo Fiorentino.
Carlo Castellani still holds the record for most goals scored for Empoli to this day, and the stadium dedication was given to him following his untimely death after being sent to the concentration camp of Mauthausen.
Main Trophies
Despite playing in so many championships, Empoli Football Club doesn’t have very many trophies to its name. The team has won the Serie B Club Domestic twice – once in 2017/2018 and again in 2020/2021.
They were also awarded the Serie B Club Domestic trophy three times; 1996/1997, 2004/2005, and 2013/2014.
Club History
Empoli Football Club was founded in 1920 alongside the football section Unione Sportiva Empoli. After both participated in a tournament based in San Milano, they were merged to create one local football club – Empoli.
After obtaining affiliation in the FIGC (Italian Football Federation) the following September, Empoli was included in Group A of the Tuscan Promozione 1921-1922.
However, the team did not take part due to economic problems and, instead, they joined the Terza Categoria league where they achieved second place in Group A.
For the 1922-1923 season, Empoli again joined the Terza Categoria and finished in second place in Group A. This got them to the final round and the season concluded with Empoli taking third place in the group final.
From 1923-1926, Empoli continued to play in the Tuscan third division. However, in the 1926-1927 season, they won the Group A division and the team was admitted to the interregional finals.
This gained them a promotion to the North Division of the Second Division 1927-28 and, in the following season, Empoli was placed in Group C.
They ended in 4th place but, for economic reasons, the team declined the invitation to take part in the next championship and, as such, were downgraded from third to the fourth tier.
This didn’t last long though as in the 1928-1929 Seconda Division they won promotion and returned to the North Division of the Prima Divisione.
Empoli remained in the Prima Division until the 1935-1936 season when most of the team had to withdraw halfway through as they were called to arms.
It wasn’t until the following season that the club started playing again, this time under the name of OND Empoli, and they won the Tuscan Group A. This gained them admission to Serie C.
Empoli continued to play in Serie C, gaining their best result of sixth place in the 1938-1939 season. During this period, the club was also renamed OND Interaziendale Italo Gambaccioni Section Soccer, but this was later changed to Associazione Calcio Empol in 1941.
Skip forward a few decades and in 1986 Empoli was promoted to Serie A. They played their first few home games in Florence, and their debut saw them win 1-0 against Internazionale.
However, the following season, Empoli received a five-point penalty and was relegated. They were relegated again in 1989 to Serie C1.
It wasn’t until 1996 that Empoli started making progress again and was promoted to Serie B. They also received another promotion in 1997, but this was short-lived and the following year saw them relegated to Serie B again, where they stayed for three years.
In 2002 and 2005, Empoli was promoted to Serie A and they ended the 2005-2006 season in tenth place in the top-flight.
They also qualified for the UEFA Cup for the following season, however, they did not participate as the club’s management failed to apply for a UEFA license!
They were, however, given the opportunity to participate in the UEFA Cup again following a successful 2006-2007 season.
As we bring things right up to date, Empoli finished first in the 2020-2021 Serie B season, taking their third title in their history.
Club Timeline
Since Empoli has been around since 1920, they have a very long timeline. However, it’s not until 1945/1946 that they really started to make waves as a team and, from that point on, their success fluctuated quite dramatically.
| Season | Promotion / Relegation |
| 1945/1946 | Promoted to 2nd League |
| 1949/1950 | Relegated from 2nd League |
| 1955/1956 | Relegated from 3rd League |
| 1960/1961 | Promoted to Third Tier |
| 1961/1962 | Relegated from 3rd League |
| 1962/1962 | Promoted to Third Tier |
| 1982/1983 | Italian Lega Pro Champion |
| 1985/1986 | Promoted to 1st League |
| 1987/1988 | Relegated from 1st League |
| 1988/1989 | Relegated from 2nd League |
| 1995/1996 | Promoted to 2nd League |
| 1996/1997 | Promoted to 1st League |
| 1998/1999 | Relegated from 1st League |
| 2001/2002 | Promoted to 1st League |
| 2003/2004 | Relegated from 1st League |
| 2004/2005 | Italian Serie B Champion |
| 2004/2005 | Promoted to 1st League |
| 2007/2008 | UEFA Cup Participant |
| 2007/2008 | Relegated from 1st League |
| 2013/2014 | Promoted to 1st League |
| 2016/2017 | Relegated from 1st League |
| 2017/2018 | Promoted to 1st League |
| 2017/2018 | Italian Serie B Champion |
| 2018/2019 | Relegated from 1st League |
| 2020/2021 | Italian Serie B Champion |
| 2020/2021 | Promoted to 1st League |
Club Net Worth
- Team Value: $6,629,651
- Net Worth: $5,000,000
Stadium
Empoli’s home stadium is the Stadio Carlo Castellani. Built in 1923 in the sporting district of Empoli, it was named after Empoli’s top goal scorer, Carlo Castellani, who sadly died after being sent to the concentration camp of Mauthausen.
Carlo Castellani still holds the record for most goals scored for Empolo to this day.
The stadium has a capacity of 16,284 following its renovation to an all-seated venue. Its original capacity was 19,800 with standing space. This renovation was entirely funded by the Municipality of Empoli and the Banca di Cambiano.
One interesting feature of the Stadio Carlo Castellani is that, as well as a football pitch, it has an athletics track for the long jump and a running track.
While it’s the home ground for Empoli Football Club, the Stadio Carlo Castellani is also used for selected matches played by the Italian National Football Team.
Owners
Empoli Football Club is owned by Fabrizio Corsi, who is also the team’s chairman. Corsi bought the club in 1991 and has a net worth of $500m. This fortune was amassed through working in the textile industry.
Best Players
Historically, the best player that Empoli ever knew was Carlo Castellani who played for the team in its very early stages and still holds the record for the most goals ever scored. However, as we bring things up to date, there are a few players that can be considered Empoli’s best.
Here’s a list of the best players at Empoli, along with their current goal records:
| Player | Goals Scored |
| Leonardo Mancusco | 3 |
| Filippo Bandinelli | 1 |
| Nicolas Haas | 1 |
| Samuel Mraz | 1 |
| Simone Romagnoli | 1 |
| Nedim Bajrami | 1 |
| Samuele Ricci | 1 |
All-Time Top Scorer
Empoli Football Club’s all-time top scorer was Carlo Castellani, who played for the team up until 1944. He still holds the record for most goals scored for Empoli. Carlo Castellani was killed in the concentration camp of Mauthausen on 11 August 1944. At the time of his death, Empoi were playing a match against Reggina Calcio.
Goalkeepers
Empoli Football Club currently has a squad of 5 goalkeepers. Below, you’ll find a profile for each of them and their stats when playing for Empoli.
Valerio Biagini
- Nationality: Italian
- Date of Birth: 20 October 2003
- Age: 17
- Domestic Leagues: 2
- Domestic Cups: 1
- Trophies: 2020/2021 Serie B Club Domestic
- Number of Matches Played: 3
Alberto Brignoli
- Nationality: Italian
- Date of Birth: 19 August 1991
- Age: 30
- Domestic Leagues: 3
- Domestic Cups: 3
- Trophies: 2020/2021 Serie B Club Domestic
- Number of Matches Played: 15
Jacapo Furlan
- Nationality: Italian
- Date of Birth: 22 February 1993
- Age: 28
- Domestic Leagues: 2
- Domestic Cups: 2
- Trophies: 2012/2013 Coppa Italia Serie C, 2020/2021 Serie B Club Domestic
- Number of Matches Played: 14
Leandro Pratelli
- Nationality: Italian
- Date of Birth: 11 December 2002
- Age: 18
- Domestic Leagues: 3
- Domestic Cups: 1
- Trophies: 2020/2021 Serie B Club Domestic
- Number of Matches Played: 13
Guglielmo Vicario
- Nationality: Italian
- Date of Birth: 7 October 1996
- Age: 24
- Domestic Leagues: 1
- Domestic Cups: 1
- Trophies: 2016/2017 Coppa Italia Serie C
- Number of Matches Played: 1
Defenders
Empoli Football Club currently has a squad of 11 defenders. Below, you’ll find a profile for each of them and their stats when playing for Empoli.
Simone Canestrelli
- Nationality: Italian
- Date of Birth: 11 September 2000
- Age: 21
- Domestic Leagues: 1
- Domestic Cups: 1
- Trophies: 2017/2018 Serie B
- Number of Matches Played: 1
Riccardo Fiamozzi
- Nationality: Italian
- Date of Birth: 18 May 1993
- Age: 28
- Domestic Leagues: 3
- Domestic Cups: 2
- Trophies: 2018/2019 Serie B Runner-Up, 2020/2021 Serie B Winner
- Number of Matches Played: 13
Ardian Ismajli
- Nationality: Albanian
- Date of Birth: 30 September 1996
- Age: 24
- Domestic Leagues: 1
- Domestic Cups: 1
- Number of Matches Played: 1
Sebastiano Luperto
- Nationality: Italian
- Date of Birth: 6 September 1996
- Age: 24
- Domestic Leagues: 1
- Domestic Cups: 1
- Trophies: 2016/2017 Coppa Italia Serie C
- Number of Matches Played: 1
Riccardo Marchizza
- Nationality: Italian
- Date of Birth: 26 March 1998
- Age: 23
- Domestic Leagues: 1
- Domestic Cups: 1
- Trophies: 2014/2015 Coppa Italia Primavera (Runner-Up), 2015/2016 Campionato Primavera 1, 2016/2017 Coppa Italia Primavera, 2016/2017 Serie A (Runner-Up), 2016/2017 Super Cup Primavera
- Number of Matches Played: 1
Fabiano Parisi
- Nationality: Italian
- Date of Birth: 9 November 2020
- Age: 20
- Domestic Leagues: 2
- Domestic Cups: 1
- Trophies: 2020/2021 Serie B
- Number of Matches Played: 13
Roberto Pirrello
- Nationality: Italian
- Date of Birth: 30 May 1996
- Age: 25
- Domestic Leagues: 2
- Domestic Cups: 2
- Trophies: 2020/2021 Serie B
- Number of Matches Played: 15
Alessio Rizza
- Nationality: Italian
- Date of Birth: 7 March 2003
- Age: 18
- Domestic Leagues: 1
- Domestic Cups: 1
- Trophies: 2020/2021 Serie B
- Number of Matches Played: 2
Simon Romagnoli
- Nationality: Italian
- Date of Birth: 9 February 1990
- Age: 31
- Domestic Leagues: 5
- Domestic Cups: 5
- Trophies: 2010/2011 Serie A, 2011/2012 Serie B, 2014/2015 Serie B, 2018/2019 Serie B, 2020/2021 Serie B
- Number of Matches Played: 16
Petar Stojanovic
- Nationality: Slovenian
- Date of Birth: 7 October 1995
- Age: 25
- Domestic Leagues: 1
- Domestic Cups: 1
- Number of Matches Played: 1
Mattia Viti
- Nationality: Italian
- Date of Birth: 24 January 2002
- Age: 19
- Domestic Leagues: 3
- Domestic Cups: 3
- Trophies: 2020/2021 Serie B
- Number of Matches Played: 15
Strikers
Empoli Football Club currently has a squad of 4 strikers (also known as attackers or forwards). Below, you’ll find a profile for each of them and their stats when playing for Empoli.
Patrick Cutrone
- Nationality: Italian
- Date of Birth: 3 January 1998
- Age: 23
- Domestic Leagues: 1
- Domestic Cups: 1
- Trophies: 2015/2016 Coppa Italia (Runner-Up), 2016/2017 Super Cup, 2017/2018 Coppa Italia (Runner Up), 2018/2019 Super Cup
- Number of Matches Played: 1
Emmanuel Ekong
- Nationality: Swedish
- Date of Birth: 25 June 2002
- Age: 19
- Domestic Leagues: 1
- Domestic Cups: 1
- Number of Matches Played: 1
Andrea La Manita
- Nationality: Italian
- Date of Birth: 6 May 1991
- Age: 30
- Domestic Leagues: 3
- Domestic Cups: 2
- Trophies: 2020/2021 Serie B, 2018/2019 Serie B (Runner-Up)
- Number of Matches Played: 13
Leonardo Mancusco
- Nationality: Italian
- Date of Birth: 26 May 1992
- Age: 29
- Domestic Leagues: 3
- Domestic Cups: 3
- Trophies: 2020/2021 Serie B
- Number of Matches Played: 16
Managers
Empoli has seen many managers over its long history as a football club. Below, you will find a list of all of Empoli’s managers from 1949 right up to the present day.
| Manager | Period | Nationality |
| Renzo Magli | 01/07/1949 – 30/06/1990 | Italian |
| Piero Andreoli | 01/12/1951 – 30/06/1953 | Italian |
| Franco Grillone | 01/07/1964 – 30/06/1965 | Italian |
| Marizio Bruno | 01/07/1972 – 30/06/1974 | Italian |
| Bruno Giorgi | 01/07/1976 – 30/06/1977 | Italian |
| Giampiero Vitali | 01/07/1977 – 30/06/1978 | Italian |
| Gaetano Salvemini | 01/07/1978 – 30/06/1981 | Italian |
| Giampiero Vitali | 01/07/1982 – 30/06/1983 | Italian |
| Vincenzo Guerini | 01/07/1983 – 30/06/1985 | Italian |
| Gaetano Salvemini | 01/07/1985 – 30/06/1988 | Italian |
| Luigi Simoni | 01/07/1988 – 31/05/1989 | Italian |
| Ferdinando Donati | 01/07/1988 – 30/06/1990 | Italian |
| Vincenzo Montefusco | 01/07/1989 – 30/06/1991 | Italian |
| Giampiero Vitali | 14/01/1991 – 30/06/1991 | Italian |
| Francesco Guidolin | 01/07/1991 – 30/06/1992 | Italian |
| Walter Nicoletti | 01/07/1992 – 30/06/1993 | Italian |
| Luciano Spalletti | 01/07/1993 – 30/06/1998 | Italian |
| Walter Nicoletti | 07/03/1995 – 30/06/1995 | Italian |
| Mauro Sandreani | 01/07/1998 – 14/02/1999 | Italian |
| Corrado Orrico | 01/02/1999 – 30/06/1999 | Italian |
| Elio Gustinetti | 01/07/1999 – 30/11/1999 | Italian |
| Silvio Baldini | 01/12/1999 – 30/06/2003 | Italian |
| Daniele Baldini | 01/07/2003 – 30/06/2004 | Italian |
| Attilo Perotti | 20/10/2003 – 30/06/2004 | Italian |
| Mario Somma | 01/04/2007 – 19/01/2006 | Italian |
| Luigi Cagni | 21/01/2006 – 26/11/2007 | Italian |
| Alberto Malesani | 27/11/2007 – 30/03/2008 | Italian |
| Luigi Cagni | 31/03/2008 – 30/06/2008 | Italian |
| Silvio Baldini | 01/07/2008 – 30/06/2009 | Italian |
| Salvatore Campilongo | 01/07/2009 – 30/06/2010 | Italian |
| Alfredo Aglietti | 06/06/2020 – 02/10/2011 | Italian |
| Giuseppe Pillon | 03/10/2011 – 20/11/2011 | Italian |
| Guido Carboni | 21/11/2011 – 12/02/2012 | Italian |
| Alfredo Aglietti | 12/02/2012 – 04/06/2015 | Italian |
| Maurizio Sarri | 25/06/2012 – 04/06/2015 | Italian |
| Marco Giampaolo | 10/06/2015 – 30/06/2016 | Italian |
| Giovanni Martusciello | 01/07/2016 – 30/06/2017 | Italian |
| Vincenzo Vivarini | 01/07/2017 – 17/12/2017 | Italian |
| Aurelio Andreazzoli | 18/12/2017 – 05/11/2018 | Italian |
| Giuseppe Lachini | 06/11/2018 – 13/03/2019 | Italian |
| Aurelio Andreazzoli | 13/03/2019 – 30/06/2019 | Italian |
| Cristian Bucchi | 18/06/2019 – 12/11/2019 | Italian |
| Roberto Muzzi | 14/11/2019 – 25/01/2020 | Italian |
| Pasquale Marino | 26/01/2020 – 18/08/2020 | Italian |
| Alessio Dionisi | 19/08/2020 – 30/06/2021 | Italian |
| Aurelio Andreazzoli | 01/07/2020 – Present | Italian |
Empoli Football Club’s manager is Aurelio Andreazzoli. Born in 1953, he has a long history of managing football teams, starting with Ortonovo in 1987. However, his history with Empoli has been slightly turbulent and, as you can see from the table above, he has been in and out of contract with the club since 2017.
Andreazzoli signed with Genoa in 2019 but was fired just two months later after the team finished in second-to-last position. He agreed to return to Empoli after Genoa let him go after the team was promoted to Serie A.
Coach
Empoli’s current head coach is Alessio Dionisi, who took up the position in 2020 following his departure from Venezia. Since he started coaching the team, Empoli has achieved a 52.38% win rate.
Assistant Coach
There are two assistant coaches working underneath head choice Alessio Dionisi at Empoli Football Club. They are Fulvio D’Adderio and Stefano Bianconi.
Home Kit
Empoli’s current home kit for the 2021/2022 season is designed and made by Kappa and consists of a solid blue jersey and solid blue shorts.
It also features white accents at the sleeve cuffs and collars and bears both the Kappa Logo and their sponsor logo (Computer Gross). Look closely and you’ll also see a lion’s face spanning the front of the shirt in a subtle blue accent.
Away Kit
Empoli’s away kit for the 2021/2022 season is also designed by Kappa. It’s based on the same template as their home kit but inverts the color scheme completely.
As such, it consists of a solid white jersey and shorts with blue accents and the cuffs and collar. The lion also remains in place, only this time it’s accented in white and stands out much more than it does on the home kit.
Logo
Empoli Football Club has a very simple logo. It is a blue shield with a white border running around the edges. Within the shield, the first letter of each part of Empoli’s name is combined to create an interesting shape. It also features Empoli F.C. written along the top and the year 1920 along the bottom.
Club Academy
Empoli Football Academy and International Scouting was only created in 2021, making it very new. However, it was created with the same objective in mind that Empoli has also worked to; finding and nurturing young talent.
League & Other Titles
Despite being around for almost 100 years, Empoli hasn’t achieved many titles. Here’s the full rundown of what the club has won:
- 1996/1997 Serie B Runner Up
- 2004/2005 Serie B Runner Up
- 2013/2014 Serie B Runner Up
- 2017/2018 Serie B Winner
- 2020/2021 Serie B Winner