Stroppa uncertain on Venezia future as Zanetti and Nicola emerge as potential successors
Quick summary
Venezia coach Stroppa gave an evasive response when asked about his future at the club, with Paolo Zanetti and Davide Nicola reportedly being considered as replacements.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceGiovanni Stroppa’s future at Venezia hangs in the balance after Monday’s 3-1 defeat to Atalanta left the Lagunari without a point after six Serie A games.
As noted by FirenzeViola , the club could give Stroppa one last chance against Napoli, but Paolo Zanetti and Davide Nicola are already being mentioned as possible replacements.
Stroppa led Venezia back to Serie A as Serie B champions last season, and he insisted his side deserve far more than their results suggest.
“Trust? You shouldn’t ask me,” he told DAZN. “The results are penalising us. I work for what I can give the team, and they look very lively to me. We’re getting important players back. I think I’ve done my job to the best of my ability, and I take full responsibility. I see how the team works, and it deserves much more.”
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 16: Coach Davide Nicola of US Cremonese reacts during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 16, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images) Zanetti and Nicola linked with Venezia job Zanetti knows the club well, having led Venezia to promotion in 2021, and Sportitalia reports that his assistant was in the stands in Bergamo. Nicola, known for his relegation escapes, has also been linked, as reported by Tuttomercatoweb.
Venezia were 2-0 down inside six minutes and 3-1 behind at the break, but they produced a strong second half, hitting the woodwork twice and having a goal disallowed for offside.
LA SPEZIA, ITALY – JUNE 1: Giovanni Stroppa manager of US Cremonese celebrates their victory after the Serie B match between Spezia Calcio and US Cremonese Serie B Play-off Final at Stadio Alberto Picco on June 1, 2025 in La Spezia, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) In his press conference, Stroppa thanked the club whatever they decide.
“Regardless of what the decision is, I thank the club for their trust. Clearly decisions have to be made, but I’m convinced this team can pick itself up through daily work. I can sense positivity in the lads, and we have to keep going.”
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What happened
Venezia head coach Stroppa declined to confirm his position when pressed on his future, telling reporters 'you shouldn't ask me' — language that suggests his tenure is in serious doubt. Reports link former Venezia boss Paolo Zanetti, now at Pisa, and experienced Serie B coach Davide Nicola as candidates to take over. The uncertainty comes at a critical juncture for the club, with their promotion push or consolidation campaign hanging in the balance depending on the board's decision.
Chance analysis
Stroppa's non-committal remarks are the clearest signal yet that Venezia are weighing a change in the dugout. With both Zanetti — who has history at the club — and Nicola, a seasoned Serie B operator, already in the frame, the decision appears closer than the club's public messaging suggests. For a Venezia side fighting for their objectives, a mid-cycle coaching change carries both short-term disruption risk and the possibility of a tactical reset heading into the decisive stretch of the season.
Venezia face near-term coaching uncertainty that could disrupt team cohesion, though a successor like Zanetti or Nicola could provide a tactical boost if appointed.