Venezia Back Giovanni Stroppa Despite Winless Start: A Vote of Confidence or a Gamble?

FolioPitch.com – 23 September 2026 | In a surprising turn of events, Venezia have opted to retain head coach Giovanni Stroppa, even after the club failed to secure a single point from their opening five Serie A matches. The decision, confirmed by Sky Sport Italia on Tuesday evening, means that Venezia reach decision on Stroppa future after picking up 0 points from first 5 games, defying widespread speculation that the 57-year-old would be dismissed. The Lagunari sit rock bottom of the table, having suffered defeats to Lecce, Milan, Frosinone, Fiorentina, and Lazio, plus a Coppa Italia exit at the hands of Udinese. Yet the board has chosen stability over a knee-jerk reaction.

Stroppa, who guided Venezia to the Serie B title last season with a record 82 points, was reportedly on the brink after the 2-0 loss to Lazio. Club officials spent several days deliberating his future, weighing the disastrous start against his previous achievements. Ultimately, they concluded that the former Cremonese and Monza boss deserves more time to prove he can adapt to the top flight. The fact that Venezia reach decision on Stroppa future after picking up 0 points from first 5 games has sparked intense debate among fans and pundits alike, with some praising the patience and others fearing a prolonged relegation battle.

The coaching carousel in Serie A is already spinning. Fiorentina sacked Fabio Grosso after three straight losses, while Bologna dismissed Domenico Tedesco following a mere one point from four games. In that context, Venezia’s choice to stick with Stroppa is a rare show of faith. But it is also a high-stakes gamble: the next fixtures are daunting, with an away trip to Atalanta on October 12 followed by a home clash against Napoli on October 17. Should those matches end in defeat, the pressure will become unbearable, and the decision to keep Stroppa could be revisited.

Stroppa’s tactical approach has come under fire. His preferred 3-5-2 system has looked porous defensively, with Venezia conceding 12 goals in five league games while scoring only twice. The midfield has struggled to control possession, and the attacking duo of Joel Pohjanpalo and new signing Andrea Colpani has been isolated. Yet Stroppa remains defiant, insisting that the team’s performances have been better than results suggest. “We are paying for small mistakes, but the spirit is there,” he said after the Lazio defeat. “I believe in this group, and I believe we can turn it around.”

The club’s sporting director, Filippo Antonelli, is said to be a key ally. Antonelli, who worked with Stroppa at Cremonese, reportedly argued that sacking the coach now would be counterproductive, especially with a squad still gelling after summer reinforcements. Venezia invested heavily in players like Colpani, Hans Nicolussi Caviglia, and Giorgio Altare, but injuries have disrupted their integration. The board’s patience, however, is not infinite. Sources indicate that a points target has been set for the next three matches: at least four points are needed to guarantee Stroppa’s survival beyond the international break.

For now, Venezia reach decision on Stroppa future after picking up 0 points from first 5 games stands as a defining moment of their season. It is a message of trust in a coach who delivered promotion, but also a risky bet that could backfire spectacularly. The coming weeks will reveal whether this faith was wise or merely delayed the inevitable.

In conclusion, Venezia’s decision to back Stroppa is a calculated risk that prioritizes long-term project building over short-term panic. While the zero-point start is alarming, the club believes that continuity offers the best chance of survival. Only time will tell if this vote of confidence will be vindicated or become a cautionary tale.