Vincenzo Italiano Confirms Departure From Fiorentina After Atalanta Win

Vincenzo Italiano has confirmed his departure from Fiorentina following their 3-2 victory over Atalanta, marking the end of their Serie A campaign. Italiano, who took charge in 2021, led Fiorentina to three consecutive top-eight finishes in Serie A and two Europa Conference League finals. Despite these achievements, Fiorentina fell short in both finals, losing to West Ham last year and Olympiacos this season.

After the match against Atalanta, Italiano announced his decision to leave, stating that it was a collective decision made weeks ago. "You reach a certain point where you have to stop," he told reporters. "I hope I have left something positive for this group. The only regret is not winning a trophy, but as [Atalanta coach Gian Piero] Gasperini told me, these journeys are worthwhile and will be remembered."

Reflecting on Fiorentina's recent European campaign, Italiano expressed confidence that his team could have won if the game against Olympiacos were replayed. He also lamented the inability to secure silverware during a challenging season marked by the death of general manager Joe Barone in March. "I would play Olympiacos again tonight; we were all convinced we could beat them," Italiano said. "The saddest moment was losing our director, the worst moment since I was in football. The love we had for him pushed us towards an emotional ending."

Fiorentina's journey under Italiano has been marked by consistent performances in Serie A and notable runs in European competitions. Despite not securing a trophy, the team has shown resilience and determination, qualities that will be crucial for the incoming coach to build upon.

The club now faces the task of finding a new leader who can continue the progress made under Italiano's tenure. As Fiorentina looks ahead, fans and players alike will remember the positive strides taken over the past three years.