After a chaotic several days with neither coach nor sporting director, Fiorentina’s now plugged those holes. Technical director Roberto Goretti has been promoted to fill the former position until the end
of the season (and likely has the inside track if he performs well, although it’s anyone’s guess how ownership will judge “well”), and now Paolo Vanoli will take the fist team reigns, signing a contract through the end of the season with a club option for 2026-2027.
Vanoli, 53, was something of a journeyman leftback during his playing days. He spent the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 seasons with Fiorentina, winning the Coppa Italia (the club’s last major trophy), making 59 appearances with 3 goals, 3 assists, 9 yellow cards, and 2 red cards. He also played at Venezia, Hellas Verona, Parma, and Bologna, as well as 2-year stint in Scotland with Rangers, eventually retiring in 2007. In his career, he earned 2 caps for Italy and even scored against Belgium.
After a couple years spent taking his badges, he returned to the game in 2010 as an assistant for Italy’s U17. He spent 5 years working at youth level before joining Antonio Conte as a collaborator for the senior side before following him to Chelsea and then Inter Milan, picking up winner’s medals for both the Premier League and Serie A.
Spartak Moscow poached him in 2021 for his first head coaching job and he led them to the Russian Cup but departed after that due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He soon found work at Venezia, stabilizing the struggling Lagunari and eventually leading them back to Serie A, but they declined to keep him around for the first tier campaign. Instead, Torino brought him on board in 2024 and he led the Granata to 11th place but got the axe despite Urbano Cairo and company selling much of the team out from under him.
As you might expect from someone who won 2 leagues with Conte, Vanoli’s preferred formation is a 3-5-2, although he he’ll try a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 at times as well. He emphasizes rigid defensive organization at the back, packing the middle and forcing the opponent out wide. He probably won’t press very high and instead prioritize maintaining a strong out-of-possession shape.
Going forward, expect a fairly direct approach that gets the strikers on the ball as quickly as possible. He won’t worry much about possession stats and will rely on channel balls and crossing. His teams have struggled to break down deep defenses and often end up engaging in some pretty stodgy contests. It’s also worth noting that his Torino last year created the fewest set piece opportunities of any team in the league.
Vanoli also brings a staff with varied experience. Fitness coach Giampiero Ascenzi and goalkeeping coach Marco Zuccher have been with him since Spartak Moscow. Felipe Sánchez and Daniele Cavalletto, on the other hand, have been with Francesco Farioli at various stops, with the former serving as his right-hand man at Ajax. They’ll join the staff who remained after Stefano Pioli’s departure.
Vanoli’s got a tough job ahead of him. Fiorentina’s in last place in Serie A with just 4 points from 10 games and has yet to win in the league. Tactically, he may not be able to install too much in mid-season, but the tactics aren’t as important as inspiring a listless side to play with an intensity and connection that have been entirely lacking. That’s no easy task and, as the mister takes his place on the touchline at Genoa on Sunday, let’s remember that he’s a manager, not a miracle-worker. This mess isn’t his fault, even if it’s now his responsibility.
Welcome, Paolo Vanoli, and good luck. You’re going to need it.
