Alberto Aquilani Begins New Chapter as Sassuolo Head Coach in Serie A

Alberto Aquilani has officially taken charge of Sassuolo, marking the first Serie A head coaching role of his managerial career. The former Italy midfielder described the opportunity as a natural step, especially given his previous connection with the club, where he spent part of his playing career before retiring from professional football in 2018.
Following his retirement, Aquilani built his coaching credentials with Fiorentina’s youth academy before moving into senior management with Pisa and Catanzaro in Serie B. Although he narrowly missed promotion last season after a playoff defeat, his performances earned him the chance to lead Sassuolo in Italy’s top division.

Aquilani succeeds Fabio Grosso, who departed to become Fiorentina’s head coach. While Sassuolo have traditionally relied on a 4-3-3 system, the new manager indicated that he intends to preserve the team's tactical identity rather than introduce immediate and dramatic changes.

Despite his confidence in the current squad, Aquilani acknowledged that improvements are still needed. He believes the team requires reinforcements in several positions and plans to work closely with the club to recruit players who fit his football philosophy and long-term vision.

Before accepting Sassuolo’s offer, Aquilani reportedly held discussions with several clubs, including Torino, but ultimately chose Sassuolo because of his strong connection with the organization and its project. He also highlighted Roberto De Zerbi as one of the coaches who has greatly influenced his approach, while receiving a warm welcome from fellow Serie A managers as he begins this new challenge.