FLORENCE, ITALY – The tenure of Fiorentina head coach Stefano Pioli is reportedly hanging by a thread, with multiple Italian sources confirming that the club is on the verge of sacking him after a disastrous run of form in Serie A.
The crisis reached a critical point following a humiliating 1-0 home defeat to Lecce, a result that leaves the Viola firmly rooted in the relegation zone.
Unprecedented Serie A Drought
The primary catalyst for the imminent dismissal is the team’s calamitous domestic record.
Fiorentina has failed to secure a single victory in the opening ten Serie A games of the season, registering four draws and six defeats.
This run has yielded a paltry four points out of a possible 30, a performance that has sparked fury among the fan base.
The contrasting success in the European Conference League, where the team has won all its fixtures, has done little to placate supporters who are demanding a change.
Financial Hurdles Delay the Inevitable
While the club hierarchy, including Technical Director Goretti and General Manager Ferrari, has reportedly decided that the relationship is unsustainable, the official announcement is being held up by complex financial negotiations.
Pioli, who only returned to the club in the summer, is understood to be unwilling to resign, meaning the club must negotiate the termination of his financially significant contract, which is reportedly worth over €3 million net per season until 2028.
Club President Rocco Commisso is expected to give the final verdict on the financial severance.
Search for a Successor Underway
With the Pioli era drawing to a close, the club is already actively searching for a replacement who can immediately drag the squad out of the relegation mire.
The current leading candidate is understood to be Paolo Vanoli, the former Venezia and Torino coach, who is admired for his tactical organization.
Another name reportedly under serious consideration is a return for former manager Raffaele Palladino.
There are also discussions about promoting Primavera coach Daniele Galloppa on an interim basis to buy the board more time to secure a long-term solution.
