La Gazzetta dello Sport outline how Vincenzo Italiano’s expected move to Napoli will likely lead to Fiorentina appointing Alberto Gilardino. Reports from the Italian media continue to suggest that Italiano is at the top of Napoli’s list this summer, leaving La Viola in the market for a new coach.
Gazzetta detail how Gilardino would be the ideal candidate for Fiorentina, having already accumulated coaching experience, even in Serie D, with humility, despite being a World Cup winner. His career has taken off in Genoa with the promotion of the Rossoblù to Serie A, followed up by an encouraging first season in Italy’s top flight. The newspaper write that:
“His name has long circulated in the city as a post-Italiano option and is a solution that could materialize because, as a profile, he reflects what the Viola management has in mind, without forgetting other possible alternatives. Emerging coaches like Alberto Aquilani, Rafaelle Palladino, and Francesco Farioli remain possibilities. While Aquilani might share a similar background to Gilardino (as Aquilani played at a high level in Florence and then succeeded on the Primavera bench), the others would have to start from scratch in the city, without any prior credits. Gilardino, on the other hand, boasts an abundance of player credentials. He had exceptional years (particularly from 2008 to 2012) with 63 goals in 157 appearances. Additionally, his current staff includes Dario Dainelli, former Viola captain for years. However, for now, Gilardino is focused solely on Genoa, as is Vincenzo Italiano at Fiorentina. But when Fiorentina faces Genoa at the Franchi in exactly ten days, on April 15, it will not be an ordinary match. Not for Gilardino, who returns, nor for Florence, which will put its potential future coach under the spotlight that day.”
