Fiorentina have placated the turmoil caused by the abrupt departure of Gennaro Gattuso with a quality hiring. Vincenzo Italiano has officially inked a two-year contract, with an optional third season. The manager himself paid the €1M release clause of his previous deal with Spezia. The two clubs will agree on a player moving to Liguria to free up his staff as well, multiple sources report. The two American ownerships have been engaged in lengthy talks over the last few days.
Italiano guided the Aquilotti to an improbable bid to avoid relegation in 2020/2021. They finished 15th in front of more equipped sides, collecting 9 wins, 12 draws, and 17 losses. He has drawn rave reviews for his daring playing style. Zdenek Zeman recently anointed him as his legitimate heir.
Fiorentina had initially chosen Gennaro Gattuso to replace Giuseppe Iachini. However, the two parties, and his agent Jorge Mendes, quickly came to blows due to disagreements on the transfer market. They ultimately opted to part ways after just three weeks.
Italiano has quickly shot up through the ranks of Italian football in his brief coaching career. He started in Serie D, at Vigontina San Paolo, just five seasons ago. He switched team every offseason, managing Arzignano Valchiampo, Trapani, and Spezia afterward, sticking around only after the promotion.
Despite Gattuso’s laments, Fiorentina have already completed a high-profile signing. They have acquired Nico Gonzalez from Stuttgart for €23M, their most expensive purchase in recent history. The Argentinian international scored 23 times and set up 16 teammates in 3 seasons in Bundesliga.