Andrea Barzagli’s anticipated return to football as the coach of Fiorentina’s Under-16 team has unexpectedly fallen through. The former Italian defender, who had a distinguished career, including a long stint at Juventus, was set to take on his first coaching role with the Viola youth squad.
According to reports from FirenzeViola.it, negotiations between Barzagli and Fiorentina broke down at the final stages. The primary reason for this sudden change appears to be the discontent expressed by a segment of Fiorentina’s fanbase. Many supporters were unhappy with Barzagli’s strong association with Juventus, where he spent a significant part of his playing career.
Barzagli had been looking to restart his career in football after retiring as a player. He briefly joined Maurizio Sarri’s coaching staff at Juventus but left quickly, later admitting he didn’t feel ready for the role at that time. Since then, he has worked as a television pundit for DAZN.
The situation leaves both Barzagli and Fiorentina at a crossroads. The club will need to find a new coach for their Under-16 team, while Barzagli may have to look elsewhere for his first significant coaching opportunity.
