A sense of crisis has enveloped Fiorentina, with the club’s disastrous start to the Serie A campaign prompting a major leadership departure and raising serious questions about its immediate future.
The situation reached a new low over the weekend. Just a day before a crucial match against Lecce, sporting director Daniele Pradè exited his position. While the timing was abrupt, the move followed mounting pressure after the team secured a mere four points from its first nine league fixtures. Pradè had previously assumed full responsibility, citing his control over a substantial summer transfer budget, but his resignation failed to stem the tide of discontent.
That discontent was palpable during Sunday’s match, a 1-0 home defeat to newly-promoted Lecce. The loss, sealed by an early goal from the visitors, was compounded by late controversy when a potential equalizing penalty was withdrawn after a VAR review. The decision ignited fury, both on the pitch and in the stands, where supporters vocally demanded the dismissal of manager Stefano Pioli.
Pioli’s position appears increasingly untenable. With no wins in ten league outings, the team’s form is a stark contrast to last season’s sixth-place finish under previous coach Raffaele Palladino. Pioli’s arrival in the summer, on the back of a league title win with AC Milan, was meant to build on that progress and challenge for European qualification. Instead, the project has dramatically stalled.
The roots of the collapse are complex. Palladino’s surprising departure in the offseason, which he later attributed to a divergence in vision with the club, created initial instability. While Pioli has largely maintained similar tactical setups, the integration of new signings has proven problematic. High-profile acquisitions, including striker Roberto Piccoli and veteran forward Edin Džeko, are yet to score, and the squad has looked disjointed and lacking in confidence.
The problems extend beyond the manager’s office. With Pradè gone and owner Rocco Commisso recovering from surgery abroad, a leadership vacuum has emerged at a critical moment. Off-field issues, including delays to stadium renovation projects, have further contributed to a pervasive sense of drift.
Despite the bleak outlook, a path to recovery theoretically remains, with most of the season still to play. The coming days are likely to bring a change in the dugout, but the deeper challenge for Fiorentina will be restoring a unified direction and rediscovering the identity that has been utterly lost in a chaotic and disappointing campaign.