Pioli returns to Fiorentina after one season at Al-Nassr

RIYADH: Italian coach Stefano Pioli, who spent last season in charge of Saudi club Al-Nassr, is to return to Fiorentina, a club he previously coached and played for as a player, the Tuscan club announced on Saturday.

The 59-year-old succeeds his compatriot Raffaele Palladino, who resigned to everyone’s surprise in June, a few weeks after extending his contract until 2027.

“Fiorentina announces that its new coach for its first team is Stefano Pioli,” the club said in a statement.

“Pioli, who returns to Florence after wearing the purple jersey as a player between 1989 and 1995 and having coached the club from 2017 to 2019, has signed a contract binding him to Fiorentina until June 30, 2028.”

Fiorentina finished sixth in Serie A last season which qualified them for the Conference League.

Pioli left Al-Nassr, where Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo plays, at the beginning of the week after just one season in charge, having guided the club to third place in the Saudi League.

His coaching career includes spells at Bologna, Inter Milan, Fiorentina and then five years at AC Milan with whom he won Serie A in 2021-22.

American midfielder Tillman

Separately, USA international midfielder Malik Tillman has joined Bayer Leverkusen from Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven, the Bundesliga side announced on Saturday.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder, who was born in Nuremberg, has signed a five-year deal until June 30, 2030.

The club has not given details of a transfer fee but media reports put it at 40 million euros ($47 million) which would equal the club record paid for Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah earlier this month.

Tillman joined PSV, initially on loan, from Bayern Munich in 2023 and last season scored 16 goals and provided five assists in 34 games for PSV.

“In Malik Tillman we have gained another player who has great ability and is very dangerous in front of goal,” said Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes.

“He can play in midfield either as a number 10 or as a number 8. Malik is an absolute top signing for us.”

Tillman, who also spent a year on loan at Rangers in Scotland, won back-to-back titles in the Eredivisie but he now has his sights set on winning the Bundesliga.

“I want to win something. That was my aim in Glasgow and in Eindhoven and it remains my aim here,” he said.

Tillman made 21 appearances for several Germany age-group teams before deciding to play for the USA in 2022, most recently in the Gold Cup final defeat by Mexico.