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

Fiorentina have officially annouunced that Paolo Vanoli has returned to his previous position as head coach, replacing Fabio Grosso after just three matches of the 2026-27 campaign.

Official: Vanoli returns to Fiorentina as replacement for Grosso

Fiorentina confirmed on Sunday night that the club had taken the decision to part company with head coach Grosso, who was only appointed in June after a miserable 2025-26 season that saw the Viola flirting with relegation for much of the campaign.

FLORENCE, ITALY – AUGUST 29: Head coach Fabio Grosso of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Frosinone Calcio at Stadio Artemio Franchi on August 29, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

However, Grosso’s competitive start to life as Fiorentina head coach got off to the worst possible start with three straight defeats, which has left the Viola sitting at the bottom of the Serie A table.

Grosso’s Fiorentina conceded nine goals over their first three matches of the season, including a 4-0 hammering by Roma, a 3-0 defeat at home against newly-promoted Frosinone and most recently a 2-1 defeat against Torino.

The club has not wasted any time in appointing a successor, announcing on Monday afternoon that Vanoli has returned to the position of head coach.

FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 16: Paolo Vanoli looks on during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Leg Two match against Crystal Palace FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on April 16, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“ACF Fiorentina announces that Paolo Vanoli has been appointed as head coach of the first team,” read a statement on the club website.

“We would like to thank Vanoli for the enthusiasm with which he immediately accepted the chance to take charge of the team once again.

“The coach  will take his first training session with the squad this afternoon.”

Vanoli had only left Fiorentina at the end of the 2025-26 season. He was previously appointed in November last year and successfully turned the Viola ship around and steered the team away from the relegation zone, eventually finishing in 15th.

FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 13: Head coach Paolo Vanol reacts during the Serie A match against and SS Lazio at Artemio Franchi on April 13, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Fiorentina decided against handing Vanoli an extension to his short-term contract at the end of the 2025-26 season, and decided to move in a different direction with the appointment of Grosso.

However, after a disastrous start to the 2026-27 campaign, Grosso is gone and Vanoli has been called back in to lead Fiorentina out of the relegation zone once again.