Fiorentina: Vanoli in doubt, Pioli return a shock possibility | OneFootball

These are decisive hours for Fiorentina. After yet another misstep in the league, the home defeat against Hellas Verona, the Viola management has initiated a deep reflection on the future of Paolo Vanoli, whose position now appears seriously compromised.

Fiorentina, Vanoli increasingly on the brink: summit at Viola Park and sensational scenario with Pioli's return

A company meeting is underway at Viola Park aimed at clarifying the strategy to emerge from a crisis that, by the numbers, risks becoming irreversible.

Fiorentina crisis: the numbers worrying Commisso

The loss against Verona represents the ninth defeat in fifteen Serie A matches, a performance that has plunged Fiorentina into the lower parts of the standings and sparked discontent within the environment. In light of this scenario, the club decided last night to send the team into an indefinite retreat, in an attempt to regroup and regain consistency.

However, the schedule offers no respite: on Thursday, December 18, there is an away match in the Conference League against Lausanne, while in the league, Udinese, buoyed by their recent success against Napoli, will arrive at the Franchi.

Vanoli under scrutiny: disappointing results and contested tactical choices

Besides the players, Vanoli's work has inevitably come under scrutiny. In five matches on the Viola bench, the former Torino coach has collected just two points, with three consecutive defeats in the last three Serie A games.

Beyond the results, the technical leadership is criticized for a certain rigidity in tactical choices. In particular, fans and management would have appreciated more courage in changing the defensive setup, shifting from a three-man defense to a four-man one. Vanoli, for his part, has repeatedly emphasized that the priority at this moment is not tactics, but the mental aspect, highlighting the need to “find the click in the heads of his players.”

A positive signal in this regard came from the victory in the Conference League against Dinamo Kiev, but the European success did not continue in the league, fueling further doubts.

The future of the Viola bench: Pioli as a sensational hypothesis

While the management evaluates what to do, the names of possible replacements begin to circulate insistently. It would be the third coaching change of the season, which is why Fiorentina is considering experienced and immediately ready profiles.

At the top of President Commisso's list is a name that would be sensational: Stefano Pioli. The coach is still under contract with Fiorentina until 2028 and, just weeks after being dismissed, could surprisingly return to the Viola bench.

Alternatives include Davide Ballardini and Carmine Gautieri, both spotted yesterday at the Franchi, as well as Giuseppe Iachini, already a protagonist of a salvation under Commisso's management. Finally, the internal solution represented by Daniele Galloppa, the current Primavera coach, already promoted to the first team for the Conference League match against Mainz during the transition period between Pioli and Vanoli, cannot be excluded.

Last call against Udinese

Time for Vanoli seems to be running out. The match against Udinese could represent the last opportunity to revive his experience with the Viola. A victory could reshuffle the hierarchies, but another misstep would most likely lead to an immediate dismissal.

Fiorentina is at a crossroads: continue to focus on continuity or change again to try to save a season that risks derailing.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.