Fabio Grosso’s dismissal by Fiorentina raises additional questions over Paolo Maldini’s shortlist for the Italy head coach place, with the previous Viola boss beforehand thought-about alongside Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi.
Fiorentina parted methods with Grosso after he oversaw three consecutive Serie A defeats, bringing Paolo Vanoli again simply three months after his departure.
Grosso was amongst Maldini’s choices for the Italy position
FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 5: Head coach Fabio Grosso supervisor of ACF Fiorentina appears to be like on through the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Torino FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on September 5, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Picture by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Photographs)
Grosso accomplished his first full Serie A season as a coach in 2025-26, main Sassuolo to a cushty survival and convincing i to provide him an opportunity on the Stadio Franchi.
Thought to be one of the thrilling younger coaches in Serie A, Grosso had additionally caught the eye of ex-Italy technical director Maldini, who retained his position for simply two weeks in July.
Maldini first held talks with Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola, then picked Andrea Pirlo for the Italy job, however a political scandal over his position as a model ambassador for a Russian betting firm blocked his appointment.
“We needed a younger coach who had a historical past within the nationwide group. There have been three names [besides Pirlo], Daniele De Rossi and Fabio Grosso,” Maldini stated .
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 16: AC Milan Sporting Technique & Growth Director Paolo Maldini and AC Milan Membership Sporting Director Leonardo De Araujo earlier than the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and AC Milan at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on February 16, 2019 in Bergamo, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
Maldini and Leonardo didn’t strategy De Rossi or Grosso as a result of they had been already below contract with Serie A golf equipment, which had agreed with FIGC President Giovanni Malagò that the Italian FA wouldn’t contact any of their coaches.
Maldini’s appointment was initially welcomed with pleasure by a lot of the Italian media and followers, however criticism shortly emerged as soon as it turned clear that Maldini’s first selection after Guardiola and Ancelotti was Pirlo.
After the cope with Pirlo collapsed, Malagò took the matter into his personal palms and employed Roberto Mancini as a substitute, with Claudio Ranieri becoming a member of as Italy’s technical director.
ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Daniele De Rossi, Head Coach of Genoa, appears to be like on earlier than the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on August 30, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Picture by Paolo Bruno/Getty Photographs)
Maldini and his advisor Leonardo in the end resigned as a result of they believed the political scandal involving Pirlo was merely an excuse to limit their decision-making powers and impede the hiring of their most well-liked candidate.
Maldini and Leonardo d, however when Ancelotti and Guardiola rejected their supply, they opted for younger coaches with appreciable expertise with the Italy nationwide group as footballers, moderately than different high coaches out there, resembling Mancini or Antonio Conte.
