In July 2013, he was announced as the new head coach of Lega Pro Seconda Divisione club Gavorrano;[3] he was fired later in November and following his departure the squad had a poor run of results.

It was widely understood that the club called him back with a few games remaining in the season, and relegation being a formality, although Gabriele refused to return.

In September 2018, he was named as new head coach of EFL League Two club Crawley Town who was fighting the relegation area, succeeding Harry Kewell.

At the same time, several unfortunate injuries to key players led to a run where the club struggled to score and win despite creating chances.

[21] Under his tenure, Cioffi managed to guide Udinese out of the relegation zone, ending the season in twelfth place with 47 points; despite this, on 23 May 2022, one day after the final matchday of the season (a 4–0 away win at Salernitana), Udinese announced they would not extend Cioffi's contract with the club, due to expire on 30 June 2022.

[24] On 25 October 2023, Udinese announced the appointment of Cioffi in charge of the first team, following the dismissal of Andrea Sottil, on a contract until the end of the season with an option to extend it for one further year.