Stefano Pioli coach of Al Nassr celebrates after winning the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Riyadh and Al-Nassr at Prince Faisal Bin Fahad on November 8, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
As already reported by Football Italia, Stefano Pioli has agreed terms to become the new coach of Fiorentina and is working on extricating himself from the Al-Nassr contract.
Various Italian media are only now stating what we had already confirmed on June 5, that Pioli gave the all-clear to make a return to Florence.
The only lingering doubt had been to choose between the Viola and the Italy job, but the Federation has instead picked Gennaro Gattuso to replace Luciano Spalletti on the Azzurri bench.
Pioli has chosen Fiorentina comeback
There is just one remaining problem, which is Pioli agreeing an early termination of his contract with Al-Nassr.
The 59-year-old joined the Saudi Pro League side on September 18, 2024, and was given a truly astonishing salary package worth a reported €12m per season.
It was a three-year contract, but the results have not been strong, and the call of Fiorentina was far too tempting to resist.
This will be his third stint at the Stadio Franchi, having played there from 1989-95, then as a coach from 2017 to 2019.
As for Al-Nassr, they are already seeking another Italian coach to replace Pioli, specifically Luciano Spalletti, who has been offered wages of €18m per season.
