A knitwear company launched in Bologna provided the financial foundation for Renato Dall'Ara, enabling his eventual transition into sports administration. Born in 1892 in Reggio Emilia, he built a business career before assuming leadership at one of Italy’s prominent football clubs, where he exerted influence over the sport for three decades.
Rise in Business
Dall'Ara originated from humble beginnings in Reggio Emilia before relocating to Bologna. He established a knitwear manufacturing enterprise that achieved significant commercial success, providing him with the wealth necessary to transition into high-level football management.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →President of Bologna
In 1934, Dall'Ara accepted the presidency of the Bologna football club. Under his guidance, the squad experienced a highly successful era between 1934 and 1941, securing four league titles. During this period, the team was managed by Árpád Weisz until 1938. The club also claimed the Coupe des Nations in Paris in 1937.
Postwar Era and Final Season
Following the disruption of the war years, the club struggled to replicate its earlier dominance for nearly two decades. Success returned in 1961 when the team won the Mitropa Cup. During the 1963–64 Serie A season, Bologna secured a position in a championship tie-breaker match against Inter Milan, scheduled for 7 June 1964.
Death and Legacy
On 3 June 1964, four days before the scheduled tie-breaker, Dall'Ara suffered a fatal heart attack while at the Lega Calcio headquarters in Milan. He had been attending a meeting with Angelo Moratti regarding the upcoming match. His remains were interred at the Certosa di Bologna. The city subsequently renamed its stadium Stadio Renato Dall'Ara in his honor, and he received induction into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
Fast facts
- Born: 1892, Reggio Emilia
- Died: 3 June 1964, Milan
- Citizenship: Italy
- Occupation: Entrepreneur and sports executive
- Bologna Presidency: 1934–1964
- Burial Site: Certosa di Bologna
- Hall of Fame Induction: 2017
Questions readers ask
What caused the death of Renato Dall'Ara?
He died of a heart attack while at the Lega Calcio headquarters in Milan.
How is his name preserved in Bologna?
The city's stadium was named Stadio Renato Dall'Ara after him.
