Fiorentina appointed Fabio Grosso as their new manager on June 8, signing the former Italy defender to a two-year contract [1, 2]. Grosso, 48, famously scored the winning penalty for Italy in the 2006 World Cup final shootout against France [1, 2].
Grosso started his managerial career in Serie B with Bari and Hellas Verona. He later managed Brescia, Swiss club Sion, Frosinone, and French team Olympique Lyonnais before most recently coaching Sassuolo [1, 2]. At Sassuolo, Grosso achieved promotion to Serie A in his first season and guided the club to a mid-table finish last season. He left Sassuolo by mutual agreement on June 4 [1, 2].
Fiorentina endured a difficult 2025–2026 season, struggling in the relegation zone. Stefano Pioli was sacked in November after a ten-game winless run at the start of the campaign [1, 2]. Paolo Vanoli replaced Pioli and stabilized the team, guiding Fiorentina to a 15th-place finish. Vanoli departed the club on June 5, just days before Grosso’s appointment [1, 2].
Upon his appointment, Grosso said, "I never like to make promises, but aware of the responsibilities that await me, I immediately feel I can guarantee seriousness, professionalism and involvement in building a team that has courage and ambition" [1].
Grosso’s two-year contract signals Fiorentina’s intent to rebuild under a manager with top-level playing and coaching experience. His first competitive matches in charge are expected at the start of the 2026–2027 Serie A season.