Official: Fiorentina confirm Vanoli return after just three matches of 2026-27

Fiorentina have officially announced that Paolo Vanoli is set to return to his previous role as head coach, replacing Fabio Grosso after a brief stint of just three matches of the 2026-27 season. The club made the decision to part ways with Grosso, who was appointed in June following a challenging 2025-26 season that saw Fiorentina on the brink of relegation.

However, Grosso's initial three matches as head coach ended in defeat, leaving Fiorentina at the bottom of the Serie A table, with nine goals conceded in the early matches, including a 4-0 loss to Roma, a 3-0 home defeat against Frosinone, and a 2-1 loss to Torino.

The club did not hesitate in appointing a successor, with Vanoli returning to the head coach position. A statement on the club's website expressed their gratitude to Vanoli for accepting the opportunity to take charge of the team once more. Vanoli will begin his first training session with the squad later that day. This move comes after Fiorentina decided not to extend Vanoli's short-term contract at the end of the previous season, opting instead for a change of direction under Grosso.

Despite the initial struggles, Vanoli was able to guide Fiorentina out of the relegation zone in the 2025-26 campaign, finishing the season in 15th place.