Who is Francesco Farioli? Rangers manager contender profiled

The Herald Scotland

4 days ago

Farioli left Ajax earlier this month and is therefore unattached and previously spoke to the Ibrox club before they appointed Michael Beale.
Ajax was his fourth job in management even though he is just 36 years of age and so he has built up a bank of experience.
But just who is Francesco Farioli? We've profiled him for you here.
Who is Rangers contender Francesco Fariolo?
Farioli is modern boss who took an unconventional route into management.
At just 35 years old, the Italian tactician has already left a significant mark on the game, blending academic intellect with tactical innovation to become one of Europe's most talked-about young coaches.
Born in the small Tuscan town of Barga, he didn't have a professional football career to speak of and instead immersed in the world of philosophy.
Earning a degree during his studies in Florence, he penned a thesis that explored the aesthetics of football and the existential role of the goalkeeper.
He was involved on the pitch too though and began coaching at a grassroots level, working as a goalkeeping coach at clubs such as Polisportiva Margine Coperta and Lucchese.
A big break arrived with a move to the prestigious Aspire Academy in Qatar and that is where Farioli met Roberto de Zerbi.
Read more: Rangers hold discussions with ex-Ajax boss as new name enters the frame
Farioli joined De Zerbi's staff at Benevento in 2017 and later followed him to Sassuolo. His official title was goalkeeping coach but he also got deeply involved in helping tactically as Sassuolo became one of Italy's most progressive sides.
The year 2021 was when he took his first big step into management and this was at Turkish side side Fatih Karagumruk. Introducing a modern, possession-based style as the team defied expectations, he was attracting the attention of Alanyaspor within a year.
An aggressive high press with dynamic play meant Alanyaspor were now dominating games having previously been merely trying to survive in the league.
Farioli managed a finish of fifth in the Super Lig and reached the semi-finals of the Turkish Cup, and left the club the over half way through the following season with six wins, seven draws, and nine losses. It is interesting to note that Rangers spoke to him about their vacancy months before his exit.
By now Farioli had made a name for himself across Europe and French side Nice came calling in the summer of 2023.
He once again implement a progressive style - his Nice side combined defensive solidity with intelligent, risk-averse possession. At one point in the 2023–24 season, they had the best defensive record in France, while still building play from the back with patience and precision.
Nice briefly challenged PSG at the top of Ligue 1 and after a slight dip later in the season finished fifth.
This was another spell which only lasted a year as the lure of Ajax came in the summer of 2024. He inherited a squad in transition after a disappointing Eredivisie campaign, and the pressure was immediate.
He had a quick impact after their disappointments the previous campaign and they were leading the Eredivisie as late as March. Farioli's tactics were yet again being praised as he continued to stick to his philosophies.
However, a heartbreaking collapse saw them surrender the title in dramatic fashion. A poor run of results in April saw their nine-point lead vanish, and they finished second to PSV Eindhoven by a single point.
Farioli resigned this month, citing difference with the powers that be. He also recently discussed his future.
'There's a lot of speculation, a lot of rumours,' he said. 'But I do want to get back into coaching. Just like it was with Ajax, I don't care about the brand or the size of the club. What matters to me is how things are done, and last summer Ajax was exactly what I was looking for.
'It was the right step for my career, and now we'll see what comes next. We'll see if and when that opportunity arrives.
'I'm a very demanding person. Before I join a club, I lay all my strengths and weaknesses on the table. 'Demanding' is probably the best word to describe me. I want to find a club that's willing to fight alongside me.'
Farioli is now an option for Rangers and is a name that is likely to intrigue supporters given the style he has operated with and the praise that he has earned for his tactical nous.