Aquilani Takes the Helm at Sassuolo: A Natural Choice for His Serie A Coaching Debut

FolioPitch.com – 05 July 2026 | Alberto Aquilani has officially begun his Serie A coaching career, taking over at Sassuolo. The former Roma and Liverpool midfielder described Aquilani Sassuolo a natural choice for first Serie A club as coach, citing his familiarity with the club and its values. At his unveiling, Aquilani expressed honour and enthusiasm, noting that this opportunity is a dream come true.

The 41-year-old returns to the Mapei Stadium, where he spent six months as a player in 2017. Since retiring in 2018, Aquilani has honed his skills with Fiorentina’s youth teams and impressed in Serie B at Pisa and Catanzaro, narrowly missing promotion with the latter last season. He now fills the gap left by Fabio Grosso, who departed for Fiorentina. For Aquilani, Aquilani Sassuolo a natural choice for first Serie A club as coach stemmed from his connection to the Squinzi family and the club’s philosophy, which aligns with his own.

Aquilani inherits a team traditionally comfortable with a 4-3-3 formation. He confirmed that while he has clear ideas, he does not impose a rigid style. ‘Football is constant evolution,’ he said. ‘This team is used to playing with four at the back, so I won’t suddenly switch to a three-man defence.’ However, he acknowledged the squad is ‘lacking in some positions’ and plans to work with the club to address those needs. The message from Aquilani is clear: Aquilani Sassuolo a natural choice for first Serie A club as coach when considering the shared vision between him and the management.

Aquilani also revealed that he had talks with other Serie A clubs, including Torino, but felt a stronger pull toward Sassuolo. He credited his coaching inspiration to Roberto De Zerbi, whose attacking style he admires. He also received congratulatory messages from fellow Serie A coaches Daniele De Rossi (Roma) and Cesc Fabregas (Como). The new Sassuolo boss is eager to bring his enthusiasm and hunger to the role, aiming to build a competitive side. ‘I bring enthusiasm and hunger, the ambition to coach in Serie A since I was a little kid,’ he stated.

With the club’s support from President Carlo Rossi, CEO Veronica Squinzi, and director of sport Francesco Palmieri, Aquilani is set to implement his ideas. He emphasized that it all starts with a concept of play, and players must fit that concept. The revamp, while respecting the club’s identity, will reflect Aquilani’s principles. As he embarks on this journey, it’s evident that Aquilani Sassuolo a natural choice for first Serie A club as coach was not just a decision but a destined homecoming. The Neroverdi faithful will be watching closely as their new manager writes the next chapter.

In conclusion, Alberto Aquilani’s appointment at Sassuolo marks the beginning of a promising Serie A coaching career. His deep ties to the club, combined with his modern tactical approach and shared ambitions with the ownership, make this a perfect match. The upcoming season will test his abilities, but his confident start suggests a bright future for both coach and club.