Managerial Shake-Up and Squad Overhaul
ACF Fiorentina has undergone significant changes early in the 2026-27 Serie A season, starting with a managerial change. Fabio Grosso was dismissed as head coach after just three games, a decision driven by a lack of confidence in the team’s direction and project [1]. His tenure saw Fiorentina start the season with zero points and a goal difference of -8, placing them in a precarious position [1]. Paolo Vanoli has since been reappointed as head coach, marking his return to the club [2]. This change comes after a busy summer transfer window where Fiorentina signed 13 new players, indicating a clear intent to rebuild and refresh the squad [1]. Among the new arrivals is Beto, who joined from Everton and made his full debut under Vanoli [2]. Vanoli’s immediate challenge is to integrate these new faces and foster a cohesive unit, a task he has already begun to address.
Vanoli’s Immediate Impact and Youthful Promise
Paolo Vanoli’s return to the Fiorentina dugout has already yielded positive results. His first match back saw Fiorentina secure their inaugural Serie A victory of the season, a convincing 4-2 win against Venezia [3]. This crucial win moved the club out of the relegation zone, placing them in 15th position with three points [3]. The match against Venezia highlighted the burgeoning talent within Fiorentina’s youthful squad. Franco Mastantuono, a key player for Fiorentina, was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick [3]. Mateo Pellegrino, another expected key player, also found the back of the net [4]. Other players expected to feature prominently in Vanoli’s plans include Luca Ranieri, Cher Ndour, Alex Jimenez, and Arthur Atta, all of whom were anticipated to start in the Venezia fixture [2]. Vanoli acknowledges the talent but emphasizes the need for the young squad to develop into a cohesive team [4].
What it means
Fiorentina currently sits in 15th place in Serie A with 3 points from four matches. Their season began with three consecutive losses, including a 0-4 defeat to AS Roma and a 0-3 loss to Frosinone Calcio, highlighting significant defensive vulnerabilities with 11 goals conceded. However, the recent 4-2 victory against Venezia under new coach Paolo Vanoli has provided a much-needed boost, demonstrating an immediate positive impact from the managerial change and a newfound attacking impetus, scoring 4 goals in a single match after managing only 1 in the previous three. This win, their only one so far, suggests a potential turning point for the club. The next fixture sees Fiorentina host Napoli. This will be a significant test of their newfound momentum and cohesion under Vanoli, as they face a strong opponent. The site’s forecast for this match will be locked 24 hours before kick-off, reflecting the ongoing assessment of Fiorentina’s evolving form.
Sources
- Football Italia: Paratici explains why Fiorentina sacked Grosso after 3 games: ‘No confidence in the team’ football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Serie A: Venezia vs. Fiorentina – Confirmed line-ups football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Serie A | Venezia 2-4 Fiorentina: Mastantuono magic gets Vanoli off the mark football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Vanoli: ‘Fiorentina excites me, we have to work on the mindset first’ football-italia.net ↩
