Fiorentina Bring Back Vanoli After Nightmare Start to the Season

Fiorentina have brought Paolo Vanoli back as head coach after parting ways with Fabio Grosso just three games into the 2026/2027 Serie A season. The decision comes after a disastrous opening run that left the club at the bottom of the table and raised serious concerns about its direction under the new manager.

Grosso had only taken charge in June, but his short tenure quickly unravelled. Fiorentina suffered three consecutive defeats, beginning with a heavy 4-0 loss to Roma, followed by a 3-0 defeat against newly promoted Frosinone and a 2-1 setback against Torino. The results continued the club's struggles after it had spent much of the previous campaign fighting to stay clear of relegation.

The club moved quickly to find a replacement, announcing Vanoli's return the following day. His appointment gives Fiorentina a familiar figure who already understands the squad and the challenges facing the team. Vanoli had previously guided the club through a difficult period and helped secure its Serie A status last season.

Vanoli left Fiorentina at the end of the 2025/2026 campaign after steering the team to safety and a 15th-place finish. Despite that achievement, the club decided against extending his contract and opted for a new direction with Grosso. The disappointing start to the new season has now prompted Fiorentina to reverse that decision and place their trust in Vanoli once again.

The immediate priority for Vanoli will be to stabilise Fiorentina and lift the team away from the relegation zone. His previous experience with the squad could prove valuable as he looks to restore confidence, improve results and give La Viola a more competitive edge for the remainder of the Serie A campaign.