Although there were a few days between the Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko signing with Fiorentina and the return of manager Stefano Pioli, the two signings are closely linked.
Fiorentina, who for a long time last season looked like qualifying for the Champions League, eventually landed down to 7th place in Serie A and possible play in the Conference League. – That together with the sacking of manager Raffaele Palladin at the end of May and no announced replacement made it difficult to convince Dzeko of the project. Only when the club and Stefano Pioli confirmed they were only details away from a signature did the 39-year-old choose to take another season. (Came free from Fenerbahce)
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Raffaele Palladino, who had to leave his coaching job at Fiorentina at the end of the season, is still available on the market, having been considered for a move to Monza who were relegated to Serie B.
Now “Viola” has found her new manager. Stefano Pioli!. The 59-year-old last led Saudi Arabian Al Nassr, a position he left at the end of June.
Pioli has been a manager for clubs such as Bologna, Lazio, Inter Milan and AC Milan. With this appointment, Pioli marks his second stint as Fiorentina manager, having led the team between 2017 and 2019.
The Italian has also made over 150 appearances for Fiorentina between 1989 and 1995.
As manager of AC Milan, Pioli won Serie A in 2022 and was named coach of the year in the series.
Fiorentina finished sixth in Serie A last season.
The club enters the play-off round of the UEFA Conference League towards the end of the summer.
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