Raffaele Palladino said it has been a “great season” for Fiorentina's after the team beat Udinese 3-2 on the final day of Serie A to secure sixth place and a Conference League spot for next year.

“I'd like to start by thanking everyone who has contributed to this season, from the kit men to the physios, the medical and coaching staff, the groundsmen, the waiters, the club and everyone who has been part of a great season – because I think it was a great season,” the coach commented during his post-match press conference in Udine.

“We've finished sixth and it's been 11 years since Fiorentina finished this high so it's a great result. 65 points is a big haul.

“The only regret is it's been an unusual season so 65 points has got us sixth place but not Europa League football. Our goal has always been to take Fiorentina as high as possible. We didn't have on specific. We said we'd give everything in every game and that's what the players did.

“I want to thank those who always believed in us. Qualifying for the Conference League is a source of satisfaction for us. The boys put everything into it once again today and now they can go on holiday in a different mood to last week.

“I understand the fans' disappointment. Fiorentina have been trying to raise the bar for years, to finish higher than seventh or eighth place. The club asked us to raise the bar this season and we've done that in terms of our league position. 

“It gives us a solid platform to build on. We brought in lots of newplayers this year and it wasn't easy to finish sixth with 65 points with all the changes. I think it's been a very good season.

“I'll speak to the club tomorrow and we'll start planning how to build a strong Fiorentina team – and we already had a strong team this season.

“It's been a very positive season for me personally. I've learned so much. Losing the semi-final in extra time to an excellent team like Betis was disappointing but we gave them a proper game. The goal was to reach the final and we didn't manage it.

“I think what we did in the league has to be considered a huge achievement. Finishing ahead of Milan, Bologna and Lazio is not something you can do every season. If we want to raise the bar further, we need to sort out lots of things, including little things, and I've already spoken to the club about them. 

“We also need to think about the core of the team we want to keep. Footballers are human beings first of all and we need good people, good men – of which we have many already. We need to build around that core of 10-12 good men, and then add extra players. I'll talk to the club and we'll try to put together an even stronger Fiorentina team than this year.

“I want to thank [Nicolo] Fagioli. He went through something quite incredible. Anyone would have suffered if they'd experienced something similar. He had a difficult time but he's got through it because he loves football and he's a top player. I'm happy because I showed faith in him and he's repaid that trust.”