Fiorentina has once again named Paolo Vanoli as their head coach, marking his second appointment to the position within a year. This decision comes after the recent termination of Fabio Grosso's contract. Vanoli's prior experience with the club includes a period as a player where he contributed to a Coppa Italia victory. His new contract is reportedly set to run until 2028, and he has already commenced his duties at Viola Park. The club hopes Vanoli can replicate his past success in stabilizing and improving the team, particularly given the immediate challenges he faces without the benefit of a pre-season or direct involvement in player acquisitions.
Vanoli's journey in football began as a journeyman left-back, including two seasons with Fiorentina from 2000 to 2002, during which he helped secure the club's most recent major trophy, the Coppa Italia. His playing career also saw him represent clubs like Venezia, Hellas Verona, Parma, and Bologna, as well as a two-year spell with Rangers in Scotland. He earned two caps for the Italian national team, even scoring against Belgium.
Following his retirement as a player in 2007, Vanoli transitioned into coaching. He started in 2010 as an assistant for Italy's U17 national team, spending five years in youth development. He then joined Antonio Conte's staff, working with the senior national side before moving with Conte to Chelsea and later Inter Milan, where he contributed to Premier League and Serie A title wins. His first head coaching role came with Spartak Moscow in 2021, leading them to a Russian Cup victory before his departure due to geopolitical events. He subsequently managed Venezia, guiding them back to Serie A, and later Torino, where he led them to an 11th-place finish despite significant player sales.
His previous tenure at Fiorentina saw him perform what many considered a minor miracle, turning the team's season around after taking over from Stefano Pioli. Despite this success, which arguably saved the club from relegation, he was replaced by Fabio Paratici, who sought to implement his own vision. This treatment was widely seen as unfair, especially given Vanoli's ability to instill competence and resilience in the squad. His strategic shift to a back-four formation yielded an average of 1.64 points per game over 23 matches, a pace that would have secured a respectable seventh-place finish over a full season.
Vanoli now faces a similar challenge, stepping into a season already underway without the opportunity for pre-season preparation or input on team personnel. His initial task will be largely psychological, focusing on motivating players and restoring confidence, as he did previously. While the team's current situation is less dire than before, the absence of European commitments might afford him sufficient time to harness the potential of the club's considerable investment in its roster. The hope is that he can once again seize this opportunity and guide Fiorentina to a successful campaign.
