Paolo Vanoli expresses desire to stay at Fiorentina beyond salvage mission
Fiorentina manager Paolo Vanoli has stated his ambition to remain at the club beyond the current season, though he acknowledged his future is tied to securing Serie A survival. The coach's comments came in a press conference ahead of Thursday's Conference League quarter-final second leg against Crystal Palace, where his side must overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit.
Vanoli, who replaced the sacked Vincenzo Italiano in February with the club in deep relegation trouble, was asked about his future at the Artemio Franchi. "I hope to stay, when I start a journey I want to continue it," Vanoli said, according to reports from the press conference. "But now I must only think about completing the process towards salvation. My task is not yet finished and it will be when there is mathematical safety." He stressed that his performance should not be judged solely on the European result, adding, "I am not a phenomenon if we go through and I am not mediocre if we go out."
The 51-year-old former Venezia boss highlighted the scale of the job he inherited, noting the club had just four points when he took charge. He claimed the ownership asked him to achieve survival from a position so difficult that "no other club in the past, in our conditions, had ever managed to avoid relegation." Vanoli confirmed he has received full backing from the club's hierarchy, including sporting directors Joe Ferrari, Nicolò Goretti, and the recently arrived Fabio Paratici.
On the pitch, Fiorentina face a monumental task against a Crystal Palace side considered one of the favourites for the competition. Vanoli will be without the injured Moise Kean, Fabiano Parisi, and Filippo Fortini for the match. He called for "a free head and courage" from his players, admitting they must "even risk something" in pursuit of an historic comeback. Midfielder Rolando Mandragora, who has the most appearances in the Conference League of any player, echoed the need for a "miracle" and appealed to the home fans for their support.
Mandragora also addressed his own future, expressing a desire to remain at Fiorentina. "I am well in Florence and I would like to stay," he said, "because I would like to be a fixed point for next season too." His potential continuity would offer some stability for a squad facing an uncertain summer, regardless of the division in which they will compete.
The immediate focus, however, remains on securing the points required to avoid the drop, with the European campaign serving as a demanding distraction. Fiorentina currently sit 17th in Serie A, just one point above the relegation zone. Vanoli's fate, and that of several players, will ultimately be decided by their results in the final eight league games, with the club's financial and sporting planning for next season on hold until safety is assured.
