Grosso from Maldini’s Italy shortlist to Fiorentina sacking in three months | OneFootball

Fabio Grosso has been dismissed by Fiorentina after three consecutive Serie A defeats, with Paolo Vanoli returning three months after leaving. According to Football Italia, the development has renewed scrutiny of Paolo Maldini’s Italy shortlist, which had featured Grosso alongside Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi.

Grosso had completed his first full Serie A season as a coach in 2025-26, keeping Sassuolo up, which persuaded Fabio Paratici to appoint him at the Stadio Franchi.

Maldini, Italy’s technical director for two weeks in July, spoke with Ancelotti and Guardiola, then chose Pirlo. That move was blocked by a political scandal over Pirlo’s role as a brand ambassador for a Russian betting company.

Maldini wanted a young coach with a national team pedigree and said there were three names beyond Pirlo, naming Daniele De Rossi and Fabio Grosso among them. He and Leonardo did not contact them because both were under contract and Serie A clubs had agreed with FIGC president Giovanni Malagò that the federation would not approach their coaches.

Maldini’s arrival was initially welcomed, but criticism grew once it was clear Pirlo was his first choice. When that collapsed, Malagò took charge and appointed Roberto Mancini, with Claudio Ranieri becoming Italy’s technical director.

Maldini and Leonardo then resigned, believing the Pirlo controversy was used to curb their authority and block their preferred candidate. They had mapped out a long-term project and, after rejections from Ancelotti and Guardiola, preferred younger ex-internationals over other available elite coaches.

Source: Football Italia

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