Paolo Vanoli (; born 12 August 1972) is an Italian professional football coach and former player who played as a left back or left midfielder. He is currently head coach of club Fiorentina.
Club career Vanoli played for many clubs, including Hellas Verona, Parma, and Fiorentina (for 9 billion lire fee in co-ownership deal; €4.648 millionParma A.C. S.p.A. bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2001 (in Italian), PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A.A.C. Fiorentina S.p.A. bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2001 (in Italian), PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A.), having also two spells abroad: Scottish Premier League club Rangers from August 2003 to January 2005, scoring once against Dundee, and Akratitos in Greece (2005–06).
While at Parma, Vanoli won both the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia in 1999, and then in 2001 won the Coppa Italia again with Fiorentina, this time beating his former team Parma in the final. Vanoli scored in all three finals.
International career Vanoli was also an Italian international, playing twice and scoring once on his debut in a 3–1 defeat against Belgium in 1999.
Managerial career Between 2016 and 2017, Vanoli was the assistant manager of the Italy national team. He was then appointed as assistant manager of Chelsea, serving in the role from 2017 to 2018.
On 17 December 2021, Vanoli joined Spartak Moscow as manager, signing a contract until the end of the 2022–23 season. On 29 May 2022, Spartak won the 2021–22 Russian Cup. The club announced on 9 June 2022 that Vanoli had left his post, citing a number of circumstances "beyond the club's control," in other words, the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, even though first in March he announced he would continue.Italian coach Vanoli refuses to leave Spartak Moscow amid Russian invasion, tribuna.com, 2 March 2022
On 7 November 2022, Vanoli was hired as the new head coach of Serie B struggling club Venezia, signing a contract until 30 June 2024. In his second season in charge, Vanoli guided Venezia to Serie A promotion after defeating Cremonese in a two-legged playoff. On 20 June 2024, Vanoli and Venezia parted ways by mutual consent.
On 21 June 2024, Vanoli signed a two-year contract with Serie A club Torino. Vanoli saw the club to an 11th-place league finish in the 2024–25 season. He was dismissed as head coach on 5 June 2025.
On 7 November 2025, Vanoli was hired by Serie A club Fiorentina on an initial one-year contract, with the option of a further year. He departed the club at the conclusion of the 2025–26 season. On 7 September 2026, he was reappointed as head coach of the club following the dismissal of Fabio Grosso.
Personal life Vanoli has an older brother, Rodolfo, who is also a former footballer and current coach.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsItaly199911200010Total21
Colombia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Vanoli goal.
+ International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competitionNo.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 13 November 1999 Stadio Via del mare, Lecce, Italy 1 1–1 1–3 Friendly
Managerial record
+ Managerial record by team and tenureTeamFromToRecord Italy U181 August 201331 July 2015 Italy U191 August 201531 July 2016 Spartak Moscow17 December 202129 May 2022 Venezia7 November 202220 June 2024 Torino21 June 20245 June 2025 Fiorentina7 November 20255 June 2026 Fiorentina7 September 2026currentTotal
Honours Player Varese Serie C2: 1989-90
Parma UEFA Cup: 1998–99 Coppa Italia: 1998–99 Supercoppa Italiana: 1999
Fiorentina Coppa Italia: 2000–01
Coach Italy U19 UEFA European Under-19 Championship runner-up: 2016
Spartak Moscow Russian Cup: 2021–22
Venezia Serie B: Playoff Final winners 2024
Individual Serie A Coach of the Month: August 2024
References
External links
uefa.com short bio
FIGC profile