The club confirmed Nicola’s arrival on Wednesday, with his contract running until the end of the 2027-28 campaign. He replaces Stroppa after Venezia’s poor opening to the season left them bottom of the table without a point.
Nicola said Venezia’s long-term plans and the opportunity to build something at the club were central to his decision. He also credited sporting director Antonelli, whom he already knew, with helping him feel wanted.
“I chose Venezia because I see a long-term vision at this club, a great desire to build and important prospects for growth,” Nicola said.
“The presence of director Antonelli, whom I already knew, played a decisive role in my choice because he made me feel wanted. I have watched the team play in these first matches and I have seen positive chemistry among the players.”
The 53-year-old acknowledged the challenge ahead but said he was eager to return to work and help the club achieve its immediate objective.
“From my side, there is tremendous enthusiasm and hunger. I have an incredible desire to get back on the pitch and achieve the objective of survival,” he said.
“In my work, the thing I consider most important is the ability to create emotions and write chapters of history that will remain over time. That must be our objective, and we have to achieve it together with our people.”
Nicola has built a reputation for rescuing teams in difficult positions. He began his coaching career at Lumezzane in 2010 before guiding Livorno to promotion to Serie A through the play-offs in 2013. He later secured top-flight survival with Crotone, Genoa, Torino and Salernitana.
His more recent roles included Empoli, whom he took over in January 2024 and kept in Serie A, and Cagliari, who finished 15th in the following campaign. His most recent appointment was at Cremonese last season.
Venezia have also confirmed changes to the coaching staff, with Manuele Cacicia joining as technical assistant, Gabriele Stoppino as fitness coach and Lorenzo Squizzi as goalkeeping coach.
Nicola’s first match in charge is against Napoli on Saturday. He inherits a side in urgent need of points, with the immediate task of stabilising results before the gap to the teams above them grows further.