Emotional Italiano confirms Fiorentina exit

Vincenzo Italiano struggled to hold back the tears while confirming that he would leave Fiorentina after a 3-2 win against Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium.

Fiorentina’s 3-2 win over Atalanta was Italiano’s last game in charge of the Tuscans.

The 46-year-old reached three Finals during his tenure at the Stadio Franchi, and both he and Fiorentina director Daniele Pradé confirmed they would part company this summer.

“We could have arrived here with a deserved reward. These three years have been amazing, and I feel I have changed. The club, the lads and the fans have given me so much, and thanks to them, I’ve improved,” Italiano told DAZN.

“We didn’t add a trophy, but the journey was excellent. It’s never easy. I am sorry for the lads and all the fans who deserved the same joy that Bergamo had.

“These three years were positive, not only for what he did on the pitch but for the environment we created. We all cried and hugged each other today.

Emotional Italiano confirms Fiorentina exit

“I have goosebumps, and leaving with this bond is not nice, but this is football. We must move on, but the bond we have created will stay forever.”

Fiorentina Ultras confronted the fans after Wednesday’s loss to Olympiacos, and the same thing happened today after the last game of the season.

Italian struggled to hold back the tears so he was asked why he had decided to leave.

“I think that when you reach a certain level, and you can’t go beyond, and people demand extra effort [it’s time to leave],” he said.

“I’ve given my all, and it’s right to turn the page, start again and leave space for new ideas to help the team further improve and satisfy these fans. That’s what I told everyone on Friday when we took this decision.”

Pradé arrived in the mixed zone again to hug the departing coach.

“I wanted to confirm what I said earlier,” said the director.

“We are all going to miss Vincenzo, not only professionally. This is a world that keeps going and evolving, but the growth we’ve had this season will always remain. I really wish him the best.”

Monza boss Raffaele Palladino is expected to replace Italiano on the Fiorentina bench in 2024-25.

Italiano reached three Finals at Fiorentina but lost them all in Coppa Italia and twice in the Conference League. The Viola have not won a trophy since 2000-01.