Paolo Vanoli is set to be appointed as Fiorentina’s new head coach in the coming days, following the departure of Fabio Grosso. The former Spartak coach is expected to return to the Florence-based club after the team’s disastrous start to the new Serie A campaign.
Fiorentina’s management will formally confirm Vanoli’s appointment shortly, according to the online publication Euro-Football.Ru. The Italian coach has already worked at the club, having been in charge in Florence during the previous season.
Vanoli left Fiorentina when his short-term contract expired. However, the club’s poor opening to the current league campaign has led to another change in the dugout, with Grosso departing after a difficult start.
Fiorentina, widely known as the Viola, have lost their first three Serie A matches. Across those games, the team scored only once and conceded nine goals, leaving them with a goal difference of 1-9.
The decision to bring back Vanoli means Fiorentina are turning to a coach who is already familiar with the club and its surroundings. His earlier spell in Florence came during the previous season and ended when the temporary agreement between the two sides reached its conclusion.
The appointment is expected to be completed before Fiorentina’s next league fixture. The team will travel to face Venezia on Friday, 11 September, in their next Serie A match.
That game will be Fiorentina’s first opportunity to respond to the three consecutive defeats that have marked the beginning of the new campaign. The side’s results so far have produced a difficult position for the club, with the loss of Fabio Grosso followed by the imminent return of Vanoli.
Vanoli previously attracted attention through his work with Spartak, and his expected appointment gives Fiorentina a familiar figure to lead the team after the coaching change. The club’s immediate focus will now be on preparing for the away meeting with Venezia and improving both its attacking output and defensive record.
Fiorentina’s management has not yet officially announced the appointment, but Vanoli is expected to take over in the near future. His return comes at a crucial stage of the season, with the club seeking its first improvement after three defeats and a 1-9 aggregate scoreline.