Fabio Grosso addresses Fiorentina links as Sassuolo prepare for Florence trip
Sassuolo manager Fabio Grosso has responded to speculation linking him with the vacant managerial position at Fiorentina ahead of his team's Serie A clash with the Viola on Sunday. The 46-year-old was asked directly about the rumors in his pre-match press conference, acknowledging the interest while insisting his focus remains on the final matches of the season with his current club. Grosso's Sassuolo travel to the Stadio Artemio Franchi to face a Fiorentina side now led by Paolo Vanoli, who is battling to secure the club's top-flight status.
"I like to focus on the present, there is a championship underway," Grosso said, according to reports from the press conference. "Then, as I have already said, it is a great pleasure to hear the voice, the voices, because it means that we are all doing a very good job and this makes us proud. But there is a championship to finish and we want to finish well." The former Italy World Cup winner has impressed in his first season at Sassuolo, guiding the newly-promoted side to 45 points from 33 games and mathematically securing their Serie A survival with five matches to spare.
The context of the link is clear, as Fiorentina recently parted ways with Vincenzo Italiano and are searching for a new head coach. Grosso's work at Sassuolo, implementing an attractive and courageous style of play with a squad that many predicted would struggle, has naturally drawn attention. He has previously worked with Fiorentina's sporting director, Daniele Pradè, during their time together at Juventus, a connection that has fueled the speculation further. "I know many people in football," Grosso noted. "I had the opportunity to finish with the director and start in the youth sector with him, I greet him very willingly."
On the pitch, Sassuolo face a challenging end to the campaign, with the trip to Florence followed by a home match against AC Milan. Grosso confirmed that star forward Domenico Berardi has not recovered from injury in time for the Fiorentina match, a significant blow. The manager praised his squad's availability and mentality as the key factors in their successful season. "The availability of these boys has been the determining factor in building a team that has made 45 points in 33 games, playing a stunning championship," he stated.
For Fiorentina, the match is critical in their fight against relegation, adding intensity to an encounter that already carries a narrative about their potential future manager. Grosso, however, deflected further questions about his future, emphasizing the immediate challenge. "Speaking about the future now is not something I like to do," he reiterated, "while remaining firm that the rumors please me, and the boys, because they testify that we are doing something beautiful." The outcome of Sunday's match and Sassuolo's final games could well influence the decisions made in Florence's boardroom in the coming weeks.
