Fiorentina Bets on Change: Paolo Vanoli Appointed Head Coach

Fiorentina has shaken up its management in an effort to reverse a disastrous start to the Serie A season. Paolo Vanoli has been appointed as the team’s new head coach, replacing Stefano Pioli, while Roberto Goretti steps up as the new sporting director following Daniele Pradè’s departure.

The announcement marks a decisive move for the club, currently sitting at the bottom of the league table after ten winless matches. Hopes for a European qualification spot, once realistic at the beginning of the season, have quickly faded.

Vanoli, 53, is a former professional player with solid managerial experience. Last season he guided Torino to an 11th-place finish in Serie A. Before that, he led Venezia to promotion to the top flight in 2024, after earlier stints with several Italian youth national teams and Russian club Spartak Moscow, where he won the Russian Cup in 2022.

His debut on the Fiorentina bench will come this Sunday November 9, 2025, at 3 p.m. against Genoa — another club that recently changed coach.

Meanwhile, Roberto Goretti, who has served as the club’s technical director since 2024, has officially taken over as sporting director. The appointment follows the mutual termination of Daniele Pradè’s contract, announced by the club earlier today.

The leadership reshuffle comes amid growing tension among fans. Overnight, protest banners appeared around Florence, targeting both the club’s management and ownership.

After a century of history and passionate support, Fiorentina’s latest chapter has been overshadowed by poor results and uncertainty — but the club is hoping this fresh start under Vanoli and Goretti can bring the long-awaited revival.

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