Fiorentina agree deal with Paolo Vanoli to replace Fabio Grosso

Fiorentina have reached an agreement with Paolo Vanoli to become the club’s new head coach, with the Italian set to replace Fabio Grosso after the team’s poor start to the season.

Grosso’s final match in charge was Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Torino at Fiorentina’s stadium. The club subsequently confirmed his departure, bringing an end to his time in charge after a run of results that left the team at the bottom of the Serie A table without a point.

According to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Vanoli has arrived in Florence ahead of signing his contract and formally taking charge of the team.

The appointment would represent a second spell for Vanoli at Fiorentina. The Italian previously managed the club last season, when he was brought in to replace Stefano Pioli during another difficult period.

At that time, Fiorentina were occupying positions threatened by relegation. Vanoli was able to guide the team away from danger and secure their place among Italy’s top-flight clubs.

Under Vanoli, Fiorentina finished last season in 15th place with 42 points. The circumstances surrounding his expected return are again challenging, with the club currently bottom of the league and yet to register a point.

Fiorentina’s defeat by Torino was the latest setback in a series of poor results and proved to be Grosso’s final game before the club announced his exit. His dismissal came as the team struggled to move away from the foot of the standings.

Vanoli’s arrival is therefore expected to give Fiorentina another change of direction as they look to recover from their difficult opening and begin collecting points. The agreement has been reached, while the formal completion of the appointment is expected to follow the coach’s contract signing in Florence.

The proposed return also gives Fiorentina a familiar figure to lead the team through its latest fight against relegation. Vanoli’s previous spell ended with the club finishing 15th and remaining in the top division, despite taking charge when the team was in a similarly precarious position.

Fiorentina now face the prospect of relying on that experience again as they attempt to turn around a campaign that has begun with the club rooted to the bottom of Serie A.