Stefano Pioli – Bio, Career Overview, Tactics & Performance Analysis

Stefano Pioli's Coaching Career

Stefano Pioli coaching career started with Bologna's youth team from 1999 to 2002. He further coached the youth squad of Chievo Verona till 2003 before getting appointed as the head coach of Serie B club Salernitana. 2006 saw Stefano Pioli being named as the head coach of Parma and hence returning to his home city. He also made his Serie A debut as a manager with Parma during this time, but was sacked in 2007 after a loss to Roma. He further joined Serie B club Grosseto as the head coach and further coached Piacenza for the 2008-09 season. After further coaching several clubs, including Sassuolo, Chievo, Verona, and Palermo, he was the head coach of Bologna in 2011. After having a couple of underwhelming seasons with Bologna, he was removed from his duties in 2014.

2014 saw him join SS Lazio, where he led the club to a third-place finish. After having two disappointing seasons with the club, he moved to Inter Milan in 2016 as the new head coach of the side. Pioli had a strong start with Inter, winning 12 of the starting 16 Serie A matches. However, after some disappointing results, he moved to Fiorentina in 2017 and spent two years at the club before resigning in 2019. Stefano Pioli then joined AC Milan in 2019 and had a great stint at the club as he led the team to win the Serie A in the 2021-22 season and was also awarded the Serie A Coach of the Season title in the 2021-22 season. After having a short stint at Al Nassr, Pioli returned to Fiorentina in July 2025, but after a winless stint, the Italian manager was sacked by the club on November 4, 2025.

Stefano Pioli's Tactics and Style of Play

The Italian manager mostly uses a 4-2-3-1 formation or a 3-5-2 formation and pushes the full-backs and wing-backs to actively take part in the team's attacking plays. Stefano Pioli tactics are centered around an attacking style of play, which focuses on high pressing and rapid transitions into the offense. Pioli also relies on versatile midfielders to win the ball and generate quick counterattacks. He is also considered to be supportive of young talents and is always motivating youth players.

Stefano Pioli's Achievements and Trophies

Stefano Pioli might have won several titles as a professional player, but he has managed to win a Serie A with AC Milan during the 2021-22 season till now in his managerial career. However, he has won several individual managerial awards, which showcase his overall managerial skills. He has won the Serie A Coach of the Season award, the Serie A Coach of the Month award thrice, the Serie A Coach of the Year award, the Panchina d'Oro, and also won the Saudi Pro League Manager of the Month award once throughout his career so far.

Stefano Pioli's Family

Stefano Pioli comes from a family of postmen and football lovers. His father, Pasquino Pioli, worked several jobs to afford a living for his family. Whereas his mother, Marialuisa Pioli, was a huge enthusiast of Stefano's game and often supported him during his games. Stefano has two brothers, Leonardo and Danilo Pioli, from whom Leonardo was also a football player and also played with Stefano during the end of his professional career.

Stefano Pioli's Wife

Stefano Pioli is married to Barbara, who was his high school sweetheart, and the duo was reportedly dating for several years before tying the knot. The couple has a daughter and a son, Carlotta and Gianmarco, respectively.

Stefano Pioli's Net Worth and Salary

While there is no accurate information available regarding Stefano Pioli net worth, his estimated salary at Fiorentina was around €3 million.