Cassano slams Pioli for Saudi move & reveals Fiorentina should’ve pursued Bournemouth coach | OneFootball

Former Italian footballer Antonio Cassano has slammed Fiorentina head coach Stefano Pioli’s decision to move to Saudi Arabia in 2024, saying that the coach “is like the others and decided to quit real football.”

Speaking on Twitch on an episode of Viva el Futbol, with quotes via FiorentinaNews, Cassano said “When you go to Saudi Arabia, you lose all enthusiasm,” and also argued that “Fiorentina made a terrible choice” in their decision to bring Pioli back to Serie A.

Pioli joined Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr as head coach in September 2024, having left Milan at the end of the 2023-24 season. The Italian spent just one season with the Riyadh side, failing to win any silverware.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – AUGUST 05: Stefano Pioli, Head Coach of Fiorentina, looks on prior to the pre-season friendly match between Nottingham Forest and ACF Fiorentina at City Ground on August 05, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Cassano, meanwhile, remains a vocal member of the Calcio community, often dividing fans with his controversial statements. The 43-year-old had a lengthy playing career, starring for the likes of Roma, Real Madrid, Inter and Milan, whilst also playing 39 times for the Italian national team.

Cassano: ‘I told Fiorentina director Prade to go for Bournemouth’s Iraola’

Cassano also revealed he had a conversation with Fiorentina sporting director Daniele Prade after the club parted ways with Raffaele Palladino, where he argued that “I advised him to go for Andoni Iraola. He is a wonderful coach with a huge personality. He replied that he had already turned to Pioli. In Italy, we lack the personality to appoint foreign coaches.”

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – MARCH 30: Marcos Senesi of AFC Bournemouth (L) acknowledges the fans with Andoni Iraola, Manager of AFC Bournemouth (R), after the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City at Vitality Stadium on March 30, 2025 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Iraola has enjoyed a successful couple of years as Bournemouth head coach, taking the English club forward from relegation battlers to a top-half side.