Pioli refuses to resign as Fiorentina coach

Stefano Pioli has refused to resign after a call with Fiorentina directors, but U20 boss Daniele Galloppa remains a candidate as an interim coach, while talks with Paolo Vanoli have led nowhere so far.

Fiorentina sit 19th in the Serie A table, collecting just four points in the opening ten games of the season.

The Tuscans haven’t yet won a game in the league and suffered a 1-0 home loss against Lecce on Sunday.

Coach Stefano Pioli refused to resign after the match and confirmed his stance in a long call with Fiorentina directors hours after the latest Fiorentina defeat.

Sources close to the matter tell me that Pioli showed openness in changing the terms of his current three-year deal with Fiorentina, but insisted he wouldn’t step back.

Fiorentina asked him to resign, but Pioli’s refusal means the club will have to take the next step.

Fiorentina return to the pitch on Thursday against Mainz in the Conference League. Primavera (U20) coach Galloppa is seen as a possible candidate to replace Pioli short term.

Fiorentina have also contacted Vanoli, but negotiations are stuck at the moment.

Raffaele Palladino’s return is also a possibility, while Daniele De Rossi has been offered, but it seems an infeasible option at this stage.