Paratici explains why Fiorentina sacked Grosso after 3 games: ‘No confidence in the team’

Paratici explains why Fiorentina sacked Grosso after 3 games: ‘No confidence in the team’ Fiorentina sporting director Fabio Paratici has explained why the club took the decision to part ways with head coach Fabio Grosso after just three league matches of the 2026-27 season, claiming that the 2006 World Cup winner showed ‘no confidence’ in the team or the project. Fiorentina are in Serie A action away against Venezia on Friday evening. You can follow the action as it unfolds on the Football Italia Liveblog. Paratici explains why Fiorentina sacked Grosso and brought back Vanoli FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Sporting Director Fabio Paratici of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Torino FC at Artemio Franchi on February 7, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) La Viola were the first of the Serie A clubs to make a managerial change in 2026-27, dismissing Grosso after a disastrous start that left the team at the bottom of the table with zero points and a goal difference of -8 after three games. He has since been replaced by his predecessor, Paolo Vanoli, who previously left the club at the end of the 2025-26 season after successfully steering the team to Serie A safety. Sporting director Paratici was quizzed about the situation in his pre-match interview with DAZN ahead of kick-off against Venezia. “The decision [to sack Grosso] came about after a discussion with the coach where he did not show any confidence in the team or in the project. We decided that we should not persist with this coach and decided to go in a different direction,” Paratici said (via TMW ). FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 5: Head coach Fabio Grosso manager of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Torino FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on September 5, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) That is despite the fact that Fiorentina brought in 13 new players during the summer transfer window and committed over €150m in transfer fees in the process. “As far as we are concerned, we will always make decisions that bring whatever is best for the club at that moment, not whatever the ‘fashionable’ choice is,” Paratici continued. “I’ve always made decisions for the good of the club, and in this case, it was the right thing to do.” Asked about the decision to bring Vanoli back to the club just a few months after his departure, Paratici said: “Once the decision was made, we were direct. We thought about what was best for the club and hoped to put the new coach and his staff in the best possible conditions. We’ve turned a new page, we’ll move forwards and now, we’re just thinking about tonight. FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 16: Head coach Paolo Vanoli of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Leg Two match between ACF Fiorentina and Crystal Palace FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on April 16, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) “We’re starting again with Paolo because he did a great job last year. We know each other well and have a lot of respect for each other. We have to find our identity tonight. “The project started when I came in in February and last season ended with us picking up 29 points. It’s a project that will last for another four years and there will be potholes on the road ahead, and we have to take them on without any short-cuts. We’re convinced by what we’re doing.”