Vanoli: ‘Fiorentina excites me, we have to work on the mindset first’
VENICE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach of ACF Fiorentina Paolo Vanoli during the Serie A match between Venezia FC and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on September 11, 2026 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Paolo Vanoli says that he was always enthusiastic to return to Fiorentina, but warns that there is still a long way to go before the Viola are considered the finished product despite their 4-2 victory over Venezia on Friday night.
Vanoli left Fiorentina at the end of the 2025-26 campaign after guiding the team to safety in what had been a difficult season from start to finish. He was then called back in to take over from Fabio Grosso, who was dismissed just three games into 2026-27.
Vanoli’s first game back in charge came on Friday night away against Venezia, which ended in a 4-2 victory for the visitors thanks to a Franco Mastantuono hat-trick and a tie-turning goal from Mateo Pellegrino.
You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.
Vanoli reacts after Venezia 2-4 Fiorentina
Despite the fact that Fiorentina already looked a transformed side in Vanoli’s first game back in charge, the coach insists that the hard work is still ahead of them.
“We have to start over. We have a squad that intrigues me because it is talented, but talent alone doesn’t get you anywhere. We have to become a team first and teach these youngsters that in Italian football, if you don’t run for your teammate, you will struggle,” Vanoli told DAZN after full-time (via TMW).
“I came back to Florence because this squad really excites me.”
So what did Vanoli tell his players in the week leading up to his second debut as Fiorentina head coach?
“I told the boys that we have to start with this blank canvas. First of all, we have to work on the mindset, but I’m lucky enough to have a young group and they’re all like sponges. This team has a strong future, but we have to keep our feet on the ground.
“I saw lots of good things today, but also many to improve. It takes patience to see these young players grow slowly.”
And what was his reaction when Fabio Paratici called him and asked him to come back just a few months after he left.
“I answered with a lot of enthusiasm. I want to thank the Commisso family, they’ve always thanked me and I thank them. I came back feeling excited, I know that there is a project to build for the future and a team with lots of quality. We have to be patient.
“What happened in the past is done, now we’ve done something good and we want to build further for the future.
“Ever since I’ve set foot back inside Viola Park, I’ve seen a crazy amount of desire and that showed tonight. It’s a long journey, but from the summer, Fiorentina have wanted to build something for the future.
“Tonight we wanted redemption. I told the boys to start by being a team. Our first task is to win back these fans, who can help us pick up a lot of important points in the long run.”
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