Fiorentina confirmed the dismissal of head coach Stefano Pioli with immediate effect on Tuesday, November 4, following a catastrophic start to the Serie A season that saw the club fail to win any of their opening 10 league matches. The Viola sit near the bottom of the table with just four draws and six defeats, marking a stunning fall from grace for the manager who guided AC Milan to the Scudetto just three years ago.
Table of Contents
The Damning Statistics: Zero Wins in 10 Games
The numbers tell a brutal story of Fiorentina’s collapse under Stefano Pioli. With four draws and six losses from their opening 10 Serie A fixtures, the club finds itself languishing near the relegation zone—an unthinkable position for a side with European ambitions.
| Statistic | Figure | Historical Context |
|---|---|---|
| Serie A wins | 0 | First time in Pioli’s career without a single league win |
| Draws | 4 | Insufficient for survival battle |
| Defeats | 6 | Third time in Fiorentina history losing 6 of first 10 games |
| League position | Bottom area | Catastrophic decline |
| Home defeats | 4 of 5 | First time since 1977/78 |
Fiorentina have lost six of their first 10 Serie A games of the season for only the third time in their history, after 1939/40 and 2001/02. Perhaps even more alarming, they’ve lost four of their first five home games for only the second time in club history, the first since 1977/78.
This represents the first time in Pioli’s managerial career across Bologna, Chievo, Inter, Lazio, Milan, Parma, and his previous Fiorentina stint that he has failed to win a single league match during his time in charge of a club.
The Official Announcement and Immediate Aftermath
Fiorentina’s official statement read: “ACF Fiorentina can confirm that Stefano Pioli has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the first team. The club would like to thank him and his staff for the professionalism shown during their time at Fiorentina.”
Youth team coach Daniele Galloppa will take charge of the first team temporarily, starting from Tuesday afternoon’s training session. Roberto D’Aversa, the former Empoli manager, is being discussed in the Italian press as the likely permanent replacement.
The dismissal came two days after a defeat to Lecce that sealed Pioli’s fate. According to reports, his stint lasted just 14 games across all competitions, with four wins, four draws, and six losses.
Pioli was appointed as Fiorentina coach in July 2025, marking his return to the club where he previously managed from June 2017 to April 2019. The expectation was that his experience and success at AC Milan would translate into immediate improvement for the Viola.
The Sporting Director’s Departure
Pioli’s sacking didn’t occur in isolation. The dismissal followed Fiorentina’s decision to terminate the contract of sporting director Daniele Prade, suggesting deep-rooted structural problems beyond just the manager’s tactics.
The joint departure of both the sporting director and head coach indicates Fiorentina’s ownership recognized systemic failures in recruitment, team-building, and tactical implementation. When both the architect and executor of a project are removed simultaneously, it signals complete rejection of the club’s direction.
Where It All Went Wrong: Tactical Chaos
Italian outlet Calciomercato identified several key mistakes that led to Pioli’s downfall at Fiorentina, beginning with an air of overconfidence stemming from his past successes with Milan and Al-Nassr. The Italian coach often declared himself among the country’s top managers, even taking subtle digs at peers such as Massimiliano Allegri and Luis Enrique.
Pioli’s Critical Mistakes:
| Problem Area | Specific Issues | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Tactical Identity | Frequent switches between 3-5-2, 3-4-2-1, and 4-4-2 | Player confusion and disconnection |
| Team Chemistry | Disorganized performances despite claims of productive training | Poor on-pitch cohesion |
| In-Game Management | Substitutions often worsened matches | Inability to influence results |
| Confidence | Lost belief as results deteriorated | Negative cycle |
On the pitch, Fiorentina looked disorganized and lacked chemistry despite Pioli’s claims of productive training sessions. His frequent tactical switches between the 3-5-2, 3-4-2-1, and 4-4-2 formations only deepened the confusion, leaving players uncertain and disconnected.
Pioli even tried deploying Fagioli as a deep-lying playmaker in a 4-4-2 system, but the experiment was abandoned after a draw against Como. These constant tactical experiments prevented players from developing understanding and automatisms essential for Serie A success.
Transfer Market Failures
Fiorentina’s summer transfer activity, conducted jointly by Pioli and sporting director Prade, proved problematic. Pioli’s initial tactical plan relied on a three-man attack featuring Moise Kean, Edin Dzeko or Roberto Piccoli, and Albert Gudmundsson, leading the club to invest heavily in Piccoli.
However, after a string of disappointing results, Piccoli was benched and the three-man attack was scrapped altogether, rendering that investment a costly misstep. When a manager abandons the tactical system that justified key signings, it reveals either poor planning or panicked decision-making—neither acceptable at elite level.
The disconnect between recruitment strategy and on-pitch implementation wasted millions and left Fiorentina with unbalanced squad composition. Players signed for specific roles found themselves misused or marginalized as Pioli desperately searched for winning formulas.
The AC Milan Glory Days: A Different Time
The contrast between Pioli’s Fiorentina disaster and his Milan success couldn’t be starker. Pioli was appointed interim head coach of AC Milan in 2019, replacing Marco Giampaolo. He implemented a 4-2-3-1 system that revitalized the team and restored Milan’s identity.
Pioli’s AC Milan Success:
| Achievement | Season | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Champions League qualification | 2020-21 | First time in seven years |
| Serie A Scudetto | 2021-22 | Milan’s first league title since 2010-11 |
| Champions League semi-finals | 2022-23 | Deep European run |
| Overall record | 2019-2024 | 128 wins, 64 draws, 48 defeats in 240 matches |
With the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pioli brought stability and experience, helping young players such as Rafael Leao, Theo Hernandez, and Sandro Tonali reach their full potential. His Milan tenure showcased tactical clarity, player development, and ability to maximize squad potential—qualities completely absent at Fiorentina.
The Milan success elevated Pioli’s reputation and market value, leading to his lucrative Saudi Arabia move and subsequent Fiorentina return. However, past achievements couldn’t compensate for present failures.
The Al-Nassr Interlude
Between his Milan departure and Fiorentina return, Pioli managed in Saudi Arabia. In 2024, he took charge of Saudi side Al-Nassr, where he reportedly became the fourth highest-paid manager in the world. At the Riyadh club, he managed stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, achieving 22 wins, six draws, and six losses during the 2024-25 season.
The Saudi experience provided financial reward but limited competitive challenge. Managing superstars in a developing league differs vastly from Serie A’s tactical sophistication and ruthless competition. Pioli’s Al-Nassr stint may have dulled his competitive edge rather than maintaining it.
Conference League Success: The Cruel Irony
Adding bitter irony to Pioli’s dismissal, Fiorentina sit top of their UEFA Conference League group with two wins from two games. Their European success made the domestic disaster even more inexplicable—how could the same team perform so differently across competitions?
Their strong start in the Conference League wasn’t enough to save Pioli from dismissal. Fiorentina’s board clearly prioritized Serie A survival over European glory, recognizing that relegation would cause catastrophic financial and sporting damage.
Fiorentina take on German side Mainz in the Conference League on Thursday, forcing Galloppa into immediate action as interim boss. Managing European fixtures while implementing tactical changes and restoring confidence represents a formidable challenge.
What Went Wrong? The Analysis
Several factors combined to create Pioli’s perfect storm of failure:
Overconfidence and Complacency: Success at Milan and lucrative Saudi Arabia stint may have bred arrogance. His public declarations of being among Italy’s top managers and subtle criticisms of rivals suggested inflated self-assessment rather than humility necessary for rebuilding projects.
Tactical Indecision: Constant formation changes prevented team cohesion. Players never understood their roles or developed partnerships. The lack of clear identity made Fiorentina predictable and easy to counter.
Poor Squad Fit: Summer signings didn’t match tactical requirements, or Pioli abandoned systems that justified those signings. Either scenario indicates flawed planning and execution.
Loss of Dressing Room: As results deteriorated, Pioli appeared to lose confidence with each passing game. This psychological decline likely infected players, creating a negative spiral of doubt and underperformance.
Historical Pressure: Managing Fiorentina carries expectations. Fans demand attractive football and competitive results. Zero wins in 10 games represents catastrophic failure by any standard, especially for an established manager with Pioli’s pedigree.
The Road Ahead for Fiorentina
Galloppa faces immense pressure as interim manager. He must:
- Establish Tactical Stability: Pick one formation and stick with it, allowing players to understand their roles
- Restore Confidence: Players need belief they can win matches
- Simplify Approach: Focus on defensive solidity and direct attacking rather than complex schemes
- Maximize Key Players: Get best from Gudmundsson, Kean, and other talents
- Create Team Spirit: Unite squad behind common cause of survival
Roberto D’Aversa’s name circulates as permanent replacement. The former Empoli boss knows Serie A’s tactical demands and could provide pragmatic approach needed for relegation battle. His appointment would signal acceptance of current reality—survival comes before ambition.
Fiorentina’s season stands at a crossroads. Immediate improvement is essential, or the club risks genuine relegation danger. The financial and reputational damage would be devastating for a club with European aspirations.
Lessons from a Managerial Disaster
Pioli’s Fiorentina failure offers cautionary lessons:
Past Success Guarantees Nothing: Milan’s Scudetto winner couldn’t translate that success to different environment and circumstances. Managerial reputation alone cannot overcome structural problems and poor execution.
Tactical Clarity Matters: Players need understanding of their roles and team identity. Constant changes breed confusion and undermine performance.
Humility and Adaptability: Pioli’s overconfidence prevented honest self-assessment and necessary adjustments. Great managers acknowledge mistakes and adapt quickly.
Alignment Between Recruitment and Tactics: Signing players without clear plan for their utilization wastes resources and creates squad imbalance.
Confidence is Fragile: Losing streaks destroy belief. Once players doubt themselves and their manager, results rarely improve without intervention.
For Stefano Pioli, this represents a humbling experience that tarnishes an otherwise distinguished career. Whether he can rebuild his reputation remains uncertain. At 59, opportunities for elite management may become scarce if this failure defines his recent work.
For Fiorentina, the focus shifts entirely to survival. Zero wins in 10 games demands immediate correction, or the club’s Serie A status could genuinely be threatened. The Pioli era lasted barely four months—a brief, painful chapter the Viola faithful will want to forget quickly.
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FAQs
Why was Stefano Pioli sacked by Fiorentina?
Stefano Pioli was sacked after Fiorentina failed to win any of their first 10 Serie A matches, collecting just four draws and six defeats that left them near the bottom of the table.
How long did Stefano Pioli manage Fiorentina?
Pioli’s stint lasted just 14 games across all competitions (four wins, four draws, six losses) after being appointed in July 2025, making his tenure approximately four months.
Who will replace Stefano Pioli at Fiorentina?
Daniele Galloppa, the youth team coach, takes charge temporarily, while Roberto D’Aversa, former Empoli manager, is being discussed as the likely permanent replacement.
Has Stefano Pioli managed Fiorentina before?
Yes, this was Pioli’s second spell with Fiorentina, having previously managed the club from June 2017 to April 2019. His return clearly didn’t produce the hoped-for results.
What were Stefano Pioli’s main mistakes at Fiorentina?
Pioli’s mistakes included overconfidence, frequent tactical switches between formations that confused players, poor in-game management, and failed transfer strategy that saw expensive signings benched after initial plans were abandoned.
