Stefano Pioli took some time out to reflect on how it feels to be back in the dugout at Fiorentina, after his appointment was confirmed on Saturday.

“It’s a great feeling. Florence and Fiorentina are both special to me. Coming back to work here is special and an immense pleasure for me. It’s also a huge responsibility because this is a big club with an entire city getting behind us. It’s wonderful to see some familiar faces from the past, with whom I shared memorable moments. It really makes me feel at home.

“The facilities here are incredible. It’s very different from how it was in the past, which is a big plus in terms of how we’ll approach our work and make sure next season goes as well as possible.

“What I can promise to the fans as a club is that we’ll work hard every day with a serious approach while showing our passion and how excited we are to make them as happy as possible. At the start of the season, you’re always fully motivated and ambitious, which is the way it should be.

“We want to build a competitive Fiorentina side that can play a brand of football that the players and the fans like. We all want to pull in the same direction and head into every match with conviction and determination to take this club to the highest level.”