MILANO, Italy – April 6: AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli is looking ahead to the match between AC Milan and US Tim at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 6, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo: Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
New Fiorentina coach Stefano Pioli will not forget that Massimiliano Allegri omitted Tuscan among Champions League candidates.
Pioli returned to Studio Franci for his second stint as coach, and was announced at a press conference on Wednesday.
Pioli explains why he returned to Fiorentina
“The experiences I have had so far brought me to the best of my career,” Pioli said via TMW.
“I know there are a lot of expectations here, but I already have a great feeling as I have found a lot of human depth in addition to one of the most beautiful training centers I’ve ever seen. I’m ready to do outstanding work.”
Pioli was Fiorentina’s coach when Davide Astri tragically died of sleep on March 4, 2018, before his match against 31-year-old Away Serie Adinese.
Fiorentina remembers the former captain before each home match.
“Obviously, he had a huge impact on my professional and personal life,” Pioli said.
“I still feel him. That will never change. If I can make the same progress as the team, I can even beat Scudetto.”
Pioli reached an agreement with Fiorentina in early June, but it took more than a month to end his contract with Al Giral, who was coaching Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I always wanted to come back. One call was enough. It was a month of anxiety, but I was still very positive,” Pioli said.
Pioli: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Coaching Anna Honor
“It was an honor to coach him (Cristiano Ronaldo) and he’s more than a champion,” he continued.
“I don’t know what’s behind him. I shared his management team with him. He’s an incredible expert and he’s obsessed with his goals for playing and scoring. He lives every day to prepare for his next game. That’s the determination we need.”
Pioli will coach Moys Keene from 2025-26. The Italian striker was the second-best Serie A goal scorer in 2024-25, and his 52 million euro release clause expired yesterday, July 15, 2025.
“I spoke with Moys during this period and I don’t know if I influenced his decision. He’s very grateful to Florence. He’s calm and I’ve been wanting to work lately. He’s a very strong player,” he said.
Edin Zeko moved to Franchi, and Albert Gudmundson moved the loan permanently. Can Fiorentina use all three stars at the same time?
“We’re not always the same, but the idea is to play them all together,” Pioli replied.
“A lot depends on their ability to cooperate. I repeat that and with the high quality players we have, there’s a higher chance of winning.
“We shouldn’t focus solely on one role or position. Gudmansonson is a player who wants to have quality, good intelligence and influence. He offers many solutions in offense and I rely on him. Fagini has similar traits. What’s important is that he has quality, pace and unpredictability.
Pioli confirmed that Luka Ranieri will be captain of Fiorentina next season, and it seemed certain that the Tuskers will compete in the top four next season.
“It’s not a Piori against Allegri or Conte. It’s going to be Fiorentina against Naples, Milan and others,” he said.
“We have a fire inside. I stayed where I was and could have been one of the highest wage coaches in the world. If Fiorentina wanted to be at the top, we need to prove it. Allegri didn’t put us in the Champions League contenders. I’ve already written it on the board.”
Pioli has signed a long-term contract with Stadio Franchi, which runs until June 2028.
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