Fabio Paratici assured that Fiorentina will base its project on competitiveness and long-term sustainability. In a press conference at the Wind3 Media Center at Rocco B. Commisso Viola Park, the sporting director explained that the "strong and solid" ownership reiterated the order to build a team capable of competing and lasting over time — a path that will require patience.
Goals and ambition for the centenary Without setting goals in positions, Paratici preferred to talk about points and sustained evolution. "My mentality is competitive: I don't accept always being seventh or eighth," he stated, admitting that a possible step back in one year could serve to take two steps forward in the next. The director reinforced that it is essential to distinguish dreams from goals and that he does not promise deadlines: it is interesting to do things well so that, over time, we can score more points than in recent seasons.
Market, budget and squad management Asked about the budget, Paratici refused numbers, remembering that it is the result of the club as a whole — revenues, expenses, stadium and structural improvements — and not just the market. He also noted that the squad will have to be balanced: "We have a lot of players under contract; either you sell or there is no space. We cannot have more than 23-25 players." Regarding the salary burden, he stressed that the ambition does not depend on the pile of salaries but on building something solid and not centered on a single figure. He also acknowledged that, like almost all European clubs, Fiorentina do not fully control their destiny in the market.
Kean, Dodo, Ndour and the young Paratici described Moise Kean as "a heritage of Italy and Fiorentina" and made clear his desire to see him as the team's number 9. Regarding possible departures or individual cases like Solomon, he preferred not to reveal internal conversations. Dodo, he said, "has ambitions" and the club will see what happens. Ndour is now at the center of the project, although he needs time and balance in the evaluation. The director highlighted the importance of taking care of the trajectory of young people like Comuzzo and valued the generation that won in the youth sector, citing names like Kouadio, Kospo, Braschi and Balbo: the essential thing is to transform them from potential talents into accomplished players. He added that an Under-23 team is part of the post-training vision but will only move forward when the club is ready.
Vanoli and Fabio Grosso's choice Paratici thanked Vanoli for the work done and explained that, after the season, there was a period of reflection to avoid emotional decisions. The choice for Fabio Grosso, he assured, was clear: "He was the only candidate in mind." The profile you are looking for? A modern coach, with directive thinking, capable of working on the field and understanding everything that surrounds the club, including internal and external communication.
Structure, club appeal and processes The sporting director rejected the idea that Fiorentina has lost its appeal: the clubs' history maintains its power of attraction. The gap for the big ones, he highlighted, is built (or reduced) with vision, competence and structure. Regarding the medical department, he indicated that the focus is more on optimizing processes than changing people. As for (self)financing, he recalled that the market is linked to the club's general performance — a World Cup final, for example, generates revenue that alleviates the impact on the budget.
World Cup and message to fans Paratici does not believe that a World Cup of national teams should dictate the market: professionals evaluate players during the season, in European teams and competitions; The test can open the way, but it should not be the lighthouse. To his fans, he left a note of realism: he doesn't promise dreams without facts to support them. "We work so that, in November, someone can dream — but to do that, first and foremost, you need a strong club."
