Wilfried Gnonto joined Fiorentina on loan from Leeds United on deadline day. And after playing just one match, he will play under a new coach for the rest of the season.
Gnonto was set to stay this summer, with the club not actively looking to improve upon the wide options.
But Fiorentina came in with an official enquiry days before the transfer deadline. The talks then progressed into a loan move, which Leeds gave the green light to be completed.
The transfer went through on deadline day after the 49ers landed a move for Jean-Matteo Bahoya.
During the summer window, the club managed to sign two attackers and failed to bring in a striker, prompting frustration among the fanbase.
Fabrizio Romano confirms that Leeds United star will have a new boss
Wilfried Gnonto
Credit: Imago
Wilfried Gnonto was a good option from the bench for Leeds United last season.
Daniel Farke preferred other players over him, but whenever the Italian had the chance to play, he showed his quality. Farke revealed after the transfer window that the only reason Gnonto left was because he was not guaranteed playing time.
Just like with Joel Piroe, Leeds could not promise him a lot of minutes.
Gnonto has already made his debut for Fiorentina, coming on for 45 minutes in their defeat to Torino. Leeds loanee Lucas Perri also made his league debut for his new side in the Serie A.
After the defeat, Fiorentina have pulled the trigger and sacked Fabio Grosso. They have lost three games in a row and are looking for solutions.
Fabrizio Romano has now reported that the club are looking at a move for Paolo Vanoli who was in charge last season.
🚨🟣 Fiorentina have reached a verbal agreement with Paolo Vanoli to return as new head coach.
Vanoli was in charge last season and he’s set to come back after Fabio Grosso got sacked overnight.
Formal steps to follow today. pic.twitter.com/YVOE6WftC3
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 7, 2026
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What does this mean for Wilfried Gnonto?
Fabio Grosso was in charge of the club this summer, which meant that any transfer decisions had his consent.
Gnonto played 45 minutes in his first game under Grosso, coming on at half time. This meant the coach was displeased with what he saw and introduced the winger to make a difference.
Going from this to a new coach who may have his own plans is a worry for the Leeds loanee.
The new coach might decide to make him a starter or leave him on the bench, as opposed to Grosso who brought him in for the season.
Hopefully Gnonto can play well enough to prove why the Serie A side made a move for him in the final week of the transfer window.
