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FLORENCE, ITALY – MAY 10: Head coach Paolo Vanoli manager of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Genoa CFC at Artemio Franchi on May 10, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Fiorentina have officially said goodbye to Paolo Vanoli after he transformed their season to avoid relegation from a disastrous starting point, declining to offer a new contract.
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The coach took over from sacked Stefano Pioli in mid-November 2025, when they had just four draws in the opening 10 Serie A rounds.
Their crisis dragged on a while longer, but Fiorentina became the first side ever to avoid relegation despite failing to win any of the opening 15 matches in the league.
Despite turning things around and securing safety, the club was never particularly eager to offer Vanoli a long-term contract, and today it was made official that he would not be staying on.
Fiorentina salute Vanoli
“The Ownership, Management, and everyone at Fiorentina would like to thank Mister Paolo Vanoli and all his staff for the professionalism, passion, and courage with which they led the First Team,” read a statement.
New President Giuseppe B Commisso, who took over the club following the death of his father Rocco, also paid tribute to Vanoli.
“I want to personally thank Paolo Vanoli and his entire staff. They arrived at an extremely difficult moment in our season, with the team at the bottom of the table and still without a win, and they had the strength, seriousness, and courage to lift the group back up.
“They restored belief, unity, and togetherness, guiding Fiorentina to safety under conditions from which no team had ever before managed to avoid relegation in Serie A history. Paolo and his staff will always have my gratitude, my respect, and my very best wishes for the future.”
It is widely reported that Fabio Grosso will take over at Fiorentina, after helping Sassuolo first to promotion from Serie B, and then mid-table comfort.
