Gattuso Quits Fiorentina After 23 Days

Gennaro Gattuso, who was appointed as Fiorentina’s new head coach only 23 days ago, has mutually agreed to leave the club.

Fiorentina had been searching for a head coach after Cesare Prandelli resigned in March and Guiseppe Iachini was appointed until the end of the season.

They thought they had found a replacement in Gattuso but differences of opinion have forced a mutual departure.

A club statement said: “ACF Fiorentina and Mister Rino Gattuso, by mutual agreement, have decided not to follow up on the previous agreements and therefore not to start the next football season together.

“The Company immediately set to work to identify a technical choice that will guide the Viola team towards the results that Fiorentina and the City of Florence deserve.”

Shortly after agreeing to work together it became clear that Gattuso and Fiorentina's executive team had a difference of opinion on transfer strategy.

Gattuso is represented by the agent Jorge Mendes and reports allege Fiorentina were reluctant to sign another of his clients, Porto midfielder, Sergio Oliveira, as well as consider other names in Mendes' portfolio, Jesus Corona and Goncalo Guedes as summer recruits.

23 days after announcing Gattuso’s arrival Fiorentina are now looking for a fifth coach in two years under US owner Rocco Commisso.

It was a very underwhelming season for Fiorentina, with the side finishing 13th in Serie A.

Despite Dusan Vlahovic’s impressive form in front of goal, the team struggled for consistency and slumped to a mid-table finish.

The club themselves released a statement last month describing the season as “a very difficult campaign”, with the 40 points they achieved “clearly far below expectations”.

There was also shock during the season when Prandelli resigned after admitting a “dark cloud” had developed inside him and he was experiencing a period of “profound distress”.

June 17, 2021