Fabio Grosso has vowed to restore Fiorentina’s competitiveness after signing a contract that keeps him at the club until June 2028. The former Italy defender takes charge following a turbulent campaign that saw the Viola escape relegation only in the final weeks of last season.
The announcement coincided with the 20th anniversary of Grosso’s winning spot-kick against France in the 2006 World Cup final. However, the 47-year-old’s focus remains firmly on resurrecting the Tuscan side’s fortunes.
Rebuilding Mission
Grosso acknowledged the scale of the task ahead, stating the club are eager to “rebuild something wonderful.” He declared: “I want to thank Fiorentina for this opportunity. It is an historic club and being here makes me very proud.”
The coach, who arrives from Sassuolo, stressed the need for immediate action over empty promises. “We’re trying to put the pieces in place to help rebuild a Fiorentina side that is competitive and lasting,” he explained. “We want to make Fiorentina a protagonist of this league.”
Tactical Approach
A key pillar of Grosso’s strategy involves implementing a 4-3-3 formation, marking a departure from the tactical inconsistency of recent years at the Artemio Franchi. He emphasised an aggressive mindset, noting: “I always liked to have a team with courage and an attacking approach. The idea is to play 4-3-3, it’s what I’ve always done.”
While he admitted certain situations might warrant adjustments, the system is expected to underpin Fiorentina’s revival.
Squad Assessment
The rebuilding process has already begun in the transfer market, with Fiorentina securing defender Radu Dragusin from Tottenham Hotspur and midfielder Arthur Atta from Udinese. Grosso praised sporting director Fabio Paratici’s recruitment, suggesting Atta could operate on the left side of a three-man midfield.
The new coach also inherits several familiar faces from his time with Juventus’s youth setup. He singled out Moise Kean and Nicolò Fagioli for particular praise, recalling how he brought Kean into the youth side “earlier than expected.” Grosso said he “can’t wait to speak with him again,” describing the forward as “an important player in this squad for me.”
However, questions remain over Albert Gudmundsson’s role within the new structure. Grosso admitted the Icelandic attacker does not fit neatly into the 4-3-3 vision, observing: “He’s not a winger, but not a striker either, and I don’t see him in midfield.” The coach plans discussions with Gudmundsson to assess his suitability before deciding on his future.
With a four-year contract offering rare stability in Serie A, Grosso now faces the immediate challenge of transforming Fiorentina from relegation survivors into genuine contenders during pre-season.