Tributes pour in for Fiorentina general director Joe Barone, with clubs and leading Serie A figures mourning the executive’s death, aged 57 – after he was admitted to hospital ahead of his team’s match vs Atalanta

Fiorentina general director Joe Barone has died at the age of 57.  

The Italian club announced on their website that the executive had passed away on Tuesday after he fell ill at the team’s hotel in the hours leading up to their their Serie A match against Atalanta on Sunday.  

The game was subsequently postponed with Barone being taken to the San Raffaele hospital in Milan for medical treatment. 

Fiorentina said in a statement: ‘It is with deep sorrow and immense sadness that Fiorentina confirms the loss of one of its figureheads, a person who has marked the recent history of the club and who will never be forgotten. 

‘General Director Giuseppe Barone passed away today [Tuesday] at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan after suddenly falling ill on Sunday.

‘Rocco Commisso [the club’s owner] and his family, Daniele Prade, Nicolas Burdisso, Alessandro Ferrari, Vincenzo Italiano, Cristiano Biraghi and everyone associated with Fiorentina are utterly devastated by the terrible loss of a man who showed great professionalism and gave his heart and soul for these colors.

The Serie A side wrote on their website that they were ‘utterly devastated by the terrible loss of a man (left) who showed great professionalism and gave his heart and soul for these colors’

‘He was a treasured friend who always stayed strong in the happiest and, above all, the most difficult moments.

‘The entire Viola world sends its heartfelt condolences to Giuseppe’s wife Camilla, his children and the entire Barone family during this time of immense sorrow.’

Barone, who would have turned 58 on March 20, was born in Sicily before emigrating with his family to New York at the age of eight years old. 

After Italian-American billionaire Commisso bought the Serie A side back in 2019, he hired his former colleague Barone to take over as the club’s general director. 

Prior to then, Barone had also worked as the New York Cosmos’ vice president, taking the position in 2017. 

He had been overseeing the creation of Fiorentina’s new state-of-the-art training centre, Viola Park, that opened in October 2023. 

Barone (left) here pictured alongside Franck Ribery (centre) after unveiling the arrival of the French forward back in 2019

Figures from Italian football have paid tribute to Barone (centre), including Serie A president Lorenzo Casini, who said: ‘Italian football loses an outstanding managerial figure’

In a statement online, Serie A paid tribute to the Fiorentina general manager. The league wrote: ‘Lega Serie A expresses its grief and extends its condolences to the family, Rocco Commisso, the team and all the staff of ACF Fiorentina for the sudden death of General Manager Joe Barone.’

The league’s president, Lorenzo Casini said: ‘Italian football loses an outstanding managerial figure. 

‘Joe in his years at the helm of Fiorentina was able to express passion, competence and vision that allowed the club and the team to achieve important results both on the field and in management, with the inauguration of the extraordinary Viola Park facility. 

‘Joe was a hard worker, who brought the American entrepreneurial spirit and the ability to think big to Serie A and Italian football. He was generous and always ready to fight for the sake of the system. He will be sorely missed.’

Barone joined Fiorentina in 2019 after having spent time working as the CEO at the New York Cosmos

Several clubs have also paid tribute to Barone, with Inter Milan writing on X: ‘FC Internazionale Milano expresses its condolences on the passing of Joe Barone. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone at Fiorentina.’ 

AC Milan added: ‘AC Milan is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Joe Barone. Our most heartfelt condolences go to his family and everyone at Fiorentina.’ 

Genoa also wrote on social media: ‘The entire Genoa CFC expresses its most affectionate closeness to Joe Barone’s family.

‘On behalf of the Club, President Zangrillo, 777 Partners and the Genoa community, we share the dismay and pain of President Commisso, the managers, the team, colleagues and friends of ACF Fiorentina.’

Turkish Super Lig club, Besiktas wrote: ‘We’re deeply sorry to hear that Fiorentina CEO Joe Barone has passed away. We extend our sincere condolences to his loved ones and everyone at Fiorentina.’

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis said: ‘In Joe Barone, we have lost a loyal person, who was full of desire and innovation. 

‘(It is) a great void for his wife Camilla, for his children, Pietro, Salvatore, Giuseppe and Gabriella, for Fiorentina, for its President Comisso and for everybody who knew him in a personal and professional capacity.

‘Aurelio De Laurentiis and all of Calcio Napoli share the immense pain that this tragedy has caused.’