Grosso: From Maldini’s Italy shortlist to Fiorentina sacking in just three months

FLORENCE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 05: Head coach Fabio Grosso manager of ACF Fiorentina reacts 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)

Fabio Grosso’s dismissal by Fiorentina raises further questions over Paolo Maldini’s shortlist for the Italy head coach position, with the former Viola boss previously considered alongside Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi.

Fiorentina parted ways with Grosso after he oversaw three consecutive Serie A defeats, bringing Paolo Vanoli back just three months after his departure.

Grosso was among Maldini’s options for the Italy role

Grosso completed his first full Serie A season as a coach in 2025-26, leading Sassuolo to a comfortable survival and convincing Fabio Paratici to give him a chance at the Stadio Franchi.

Regarded as one of the most exciting young coaches in Serie A, Grosso had also caught the attention of ex-Italy technical director Maldini, who retained his role for just two weeks in July.

Maldini first held talks with Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola, then picked Andrea Pirlo for the Italy job, but a political scandal over his role as a brand ambassador for a Russian betting company blocked his appointment.

“We wanted a young coach who had a history in the national team. There were three names [besides Pirlo], Daniele De Rossi and Fabio Grosso,” Maldini said last month.

Maldini and Leonardo did not approach De Rossi or Grosso because they were already under contract with Serie A clubs, which had agreed with FIGC President Giovanni Malagò that the Italian FA would not contact any of their coaches.

Maldini’s appointment was initially welcomed with excitement by much of the Italian media and fans, but criticism quickly emerged once it became clear that Maldini’s first choice after Guardiola and Ancelotti was Pirlo.

After the deal with Pirlo collapsed, Malagò took the matter into his own hands and hired Roberto Mancini instead, with Claudio Ranieri joining as Italy’s technical director.

Maldini and his advisor Leonardo ultimately resigned because they believed the political scandal involving Pirlo was merely an excuse to restrict their decision-making powers and obstruct the hiring of their preferred candidate.

Maldini and Leonardo had a long-term project in mind, but when Ancelotti and Guardiola rejected their offer, they opted for young coaches with considerable experience with the Italy national team as footballers, rather than other top coaches available, such as Mancini or Antonio Conte.