Vanoli’s future rests on Turin Derby with Mazzarri waiting in the wings

Paolo Vanoli’s tenure as Torino’s head coach is under intense scrutiny as the team prepares for the crucial Derby della Mole against Juventus. The Granata’s season has been a tale of two halves, with a promising start followed by a dramatic downturn in form that has seen them slip to tenth place in the league.

The turning point came on September 24th, when a Coppa Italia defeat at home to Empoli sparked a dismal run of six losses in seven matches. With only a narrow victory against Como providing brief respite, Torino finds itself in a precarious position heading into the derby.

Calciomercato report that Saturday’s match at the Allianz Stadium could be decisive for Vanoli’s future. The team’s recent form—just three points from a possible 18 in the league—has put the coach’s position in jeopardy. A defeat against their city rivals could prompt club president Urbano Cairo to make a change in leadership to revitalize the squad.

In anticipation of a potential managerial change, Torino has reportedly been in close contact with Walter Mazzarri and his representatives. The 63-year-old coach is eager to return to the dugout after his second stint with Napoli last season. Mazzarri is considered the frontrunner to take over should Vanoli be dismissed, which would mark a return to the club he previously managed from 2018 to 2020.

Adding to the tense atmosphere, Torino fans have escalated their ongoing protests against the club’s management. In a macabre display, supporters placed a coffin outside the team’s headquarters, bearing a plaque criticizing Cairo and featuring disturbing messages directed at the club president. This incident is currently under investigation by the local authorities.