Paolo Vanoli and Fiorentina’s 4-3-3 revival puzzle

Fiorentina have appointed Paolo Vanoli as head coach after Fabio Grosso was sacked. The contract runs for two seasons with a one-year option, potentially keeping Vanoli at the club until 2029. There is no transfer fee and no reported add-on; the salary is around €1.2 million per season. The move is a response to a poor start to the season and signals an attempt to stabilize the dressing room. Vanoli is expected to build on the 4-3-3 shape that Grosso had begun to use earlier in the campaign rather than introduce a radical tactical revolution. The squad is now rich in natural wingers, with Mastantuono and Gnonto on the right and Pedro Gonçalves and Njie on the left. This gives Fiorentina more width and vertical threat than they had last season. A key part of Vanoli’s plan is reviving Nicolò Fagioli as a deep-lying playmaker. Fagioli can control tempo from deep, break pressing lines and give the midfield more balance. Ndour could also benefit from Vanoli’s track record of developing young players. The main risk is dependency. Fiorentina’s 4-3-3 may rely too heavily on the wingers and on Fagioli as the single conductor. If those key players lose form or suffer injuries, the system could become predictable. The contract itself is financially sound, but the next three to six months will reveal whether the tactical foundation is strong enough for a European push.