Fakayejo Paul
FLORENCE, ITALY – Just days after dramatically sacking Stefano Pioli, Fiorentina has moved swiftly to appoint his successor, reaching an agreement with Paolo Vanoli to become the club’s new head coach.
The deal is reportedly finalized, marking a new chapter for the Viola as they desperately seek to escape the Serie A relegation zone.
Deal Sealed After Pioli’s Exit
The club made the decision to dismiss Pioli earlier this week following a catastrophic run of zero wins in their first ten Serie A matches.
With the team in urgent need of a shake-up and a fresh perspective, Fiorentina’s management prioritized securing a pragmatic coach with recent success in the Italian leagues.
Vanoli quickly emerged as the frontrunner, and negotiations were accelerated after his availability was confirmed.
The agreement means Vanoli will immediately take the reins from interim coach Daniele Galloppa, who oversaw training following Pioli’s departure.
Vanoli’s Immediate Challenge
Paolo Vanoli arrives with a reputation as a specialist in organizing teams and instilling defensive structure—qualities the struggling Fiorentina squad desperately needs.
- Recent Success: Vanoli is highly regarded in Italy after guiding Venezia to promotion back to Serie A via the play-offs in 2024. He most recently managed Torino, where he saw success in organizing a resilient defense before his recent dismissal in June 2025.
- The Mission: His immediate and sole focus will be to lift the team out of the relegation fight. Fiorentina currently sits dangerously close to the bottom, and Vanoli’s mandate is to secure immediate results and restore tactical clarity and confidence to the squad.
A Return to Florence
The appointment marks a return to Florence for Vanoli, who was a player for Fiorentina during the 2000-2002 seasons and helped the club win the Coppa Italia in 2001.
That familiarity with the club’s atmosphere is expected to help him integrate quickly as he prepares for his first match, potentially after the upcoming international break.
The final details of his contract are expected to be announced shortly, confirming the length of his deal with the Gigliati.