The Luciano Spalletti rumor train is leaving the station if you want to get on board

It’s no secret that Fiorentina is on the prowl for a new manager. Vincenzo Montella, who started as the coach at the start of this season about a decade ago, was as overmatched as any mister we’ve ever seen, and Giuseppe Iachini has steadied the ship but hardly impressed. For a club with the Viola’s history and ambition (not to mention the sheer talent), it’s not crazy to think that a new manager is the most important addition in the window.

Having heard rumors about interest in Sassuolo’s Roberto de Zerbi (who’s just extended his contract with the Neroverdi) and Juventus’ Maurizio Sarri, now it’s time to focus on Luciano Spalletti. According to a Fiorentinanews.com exclusive, Daniele Pradè and Joe Barone have reached out to the veteran tactician, who’s been our of work since getting the sack from Inter Milan last summer, with an eye to bringing him to the Viola bench next year.

The real question is whether the positives of a Spalletti hire outweigh the negatives. The Certaldo native would instantly become a Florence celebrity at the helm of Tuscany’s biggest team, which would be a lot of fun. In a more tactical sense, he’d bring a real identity to the Franchi that’s been lacking since 2015, when Montella departed for the first time; that said, Spalletti isn’t a rigid mister and understands how to make the little adjustments that help players reach their peaks. He’s also proven that he’s a winner in Italy, having won two Coppe Italia and a Supercoppa as well.

On the downside, he’s still under contract at Inter until next year, which means he’d have to reach an agreement with the Nerazzuri to join another club. Combined with his reportedly high wage demands, that means he’d be a really expensive option. At 61, he’s not the shiny young thing that a lot of fans seem to want. And, of course, there’s the reputation he’s developed for coaching deeply neurotic teams that often dazzle but ultimately implode at key moments.