Stefano Pioli returns to Fiorentina on a deal until 2028 after a brief spell at Al Nassr. The former Milan coach is tasked with leading the club back into contention in Serie A and Europe, reconnecting with a team and city he knows intimately.
Italian manager Stefano Pioli is officially returning to Fiorentina, marking a significant chapter in both his career and the club’s recent history.
After a brief and ultimately unfulfilling spell in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr where he coached global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Portuguese international Otávio Pioli has committed to a long-term project back in Florence, signing a contract that runs until June 2028.
Fiorentina confirmed the appointment in a statement released via the club’s official website, celebrating the homecoming of a familiar and respected figure. “Stefano Pioli is the new head coach of the first team, having signed a contract until June 2028,” the club announced. The statement also recalled Pioli’s deep ties to Fiorentina: he wore the iconic violet shirt as a player between 1989 and 1995, and later returned as manager from 2017 to 2019. His previous spell on the bench ended in difficult circumstances following a resignation amid boardroom tensions, but his affection for the club and the city has never been in doubt.
This return, therefore, is not merely a professional move it’s a personal and emotional one. Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso, who has overseen a period of relative stability and ambition at the club, expressed his strong belief in Pioli’s leadership qualities and emotional connection to Florence. “I’m very pleased with Pioli’s arrival,” Commisso said. “From our very first conversation, I saw in him strong human values and a deep desire to fight for this club and this city, which he knows well and to which he is deeply attached.”
Pioli’s decision to leave Al Nassr after just a few months he joined mid-season to replace Luís Castro came following a campaign that fell short of expectations. Despite having a squad featuring some of the biggest names in Middle Eastern football, including Ronaldo, Otávio, Sadio Mané, and Marcelo Brozović, Pioli was unable to guide the team to silverware, finishing behind arch-rivals Al Hilal in both the league and cup competitions. His time in Saudi Arabia marked his first experience coaching outside of Italy, and while it offered international exposure and high-profile players, it lacked the emotional resonance and cultural fit he had previously found in Italian football.
Now back on familiar ground, Pioli inherits a Fiorentina side that finished sixth in Serie A last season and is looking to build on recent progress. The club has become a consistent presence in European competitions under Commisso’s ownership and now seeks the leadership and tactical nous of a seasoned coach to take them to the next level. Pioli’s return also comes at a time when the club is undergoing a modest squad reshaping, with the goal of becoming more competitive both domestically and in Europe.
At 59 years old, Pioli brings with him a wealth of experience. Before his first stint at Fiorentina, he had successful spells at clubs like Bologna and Lazio, but his most high-profile tenure came with AC Milan. There, he led a young and dynamic squad to the Serie A title in the 2021–22 season Milan’s first scudetto in over a decade and received widespread praise for his man-management skills and ability to foster team cohesion. His time at Milan cemented his reputation as one of Italy’s top managers, capable of handling the pressure of big clubs while nurturing young talent.
His ability to develop and trust youth could prove vital at Fiorentina, a club with a strong tradition of producing and showcasing promising players. With players like Giacomo Bonaventura aging and several transfer uncertainties looming, Pioli’s eye for squad balance and his ability to extract the best from both veterans and emerging stars will be crucial.
Beyond tactics and results, Pioli’s appointment also signals a desire by Fiorentina to re-embrace its identity one rooted in passion, loyalty, and a strong connection between the team, its supporters, and the city itself. Pioli understands that culture intimately. His return is not just the hiring of a coach it's the restoration of a symbol.
Now, with a four-year contract in place and a clear mandate to build something lasting, Stefano Pioli faces one of the most important projects of his career: turning Fiorentina into a team that not only competes but truly challenges for honors in Serie A and beyond.
