New Fiorentina Manager & Stadium Funding
It has been a great two weeks for Florence’s famous football club, ACF Fiorentina, with the announcement of its new management coinciding with new funding to finish the delayed renovations of the club’s home stadium “Artemio Franchi.”
Stefano Pioli has once again found himself donning purple, beginning his second stint as coach of the club where it is hoped he shall bring great success. Having led AC Milan to the Serie A 2021/22 title under his four year management there, hopes are high regarding his return to Florence.
Pioli was a centre-back for Fiorentina from 1989 to 1995 before moving to Padua for two seasons. He then became manager of Florence’s club in 2017, resigning after two years when he was appointed as coach at AC Milan. The 59 year-old’s contract states that he will be manager of ‘I Viola’ until 2028, where he will be aided by assistant coach Tarozzi Andrea.
On his return, Pioli says “mi sento a casa” (I feel at home), and it seems that his emotional bond with the club was a catalyst in his decision to take up the role, just in time for the team’s 2025/26 pre-season training camp which began at the start of this week.
This news comes alongside further exciting announcements regarding the renovations of the Artemio Franchi Stadium- home to Fiorentina since its opening in 1931. Redevelopment plans for the stadium were unveiled in 2022, with works having been set to begin in June of 2024 and end in April of 2026, in time for the football club’s 100 year anniversary. The necessary expected funding, however, was cancelled by the Ministry of Economy and the project was subsequently delayed.
This recent issue was not the club’s first encounter with financial difficulties, with their bankruptcy in 2002 causing it to go into judicially-controlled administration before its reestablishment later that year.
This week, however, has signalled a turning-point for the project, with €55 million having been secured by the city which will be indirectly allocated to the redevelopment of the stadium. The first-phase is expected to be completed in late 2026, with the rest of the project set to conclude in 2031- in time for the 2032 Euros in which the stadium hopes to bid for.
The renovations are set to improve all aspects of the stadium, for example redesigning seating arrangements, most notably in the Maratona stand, and providing an increased level of comfort. A new canopy is also in the works, which will be particularly helpful on match-days clouded by poor weather. Beyond the development of the football stadium, the project aims to create a multi-purpose venue, which will include retail stores, restaurants, and space to host concerts and other live events.
Whilst the number of matches held at the Artemio Franchi will be reduced over the construction period, for those that do take place at the venue, seating capacity will be 30,000, which ensures that enough fans can continue to enjoy watching and supporting the team.
(Scarlet Claydon-Jones)
