Aquilani: ‘Sassuolo a natural choice for first Serie A club’ as coach | OneFootball

Alberto Aquilani explains why Sassuolo felt like ‘a natural choice’ for his first Serie A coaching experience, but warned the squad is ‘lacking in some positions.’

This is the first Serie A management experience for the coach who turns 42 next week, yet is also a return to the Mapei Stadium, where he played for six months in 2017.

PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 28: Alberto Aquilani head coach of ACF Fiorentina looks on prior to the Primavera TIM Cup Final match between ACF Fiorentina and SS Lazio at Ennio Tardini Stadium on April 28, 2021 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

After hanging up his boots in 2018, Aquilani worked in the Fiorentina youth academy, then impressed in Serie B at Pisa and Catanzaro, narrowly missing out on promotion in the play-offs to Monza last season.

Now he takes on the mantle left empty by Fabio Grosso, who left Sassuolo for a new experience at Fiorentina.

Aquilani begins Serie A career at Sassuolo

EMPOLI, ITALY – APRIL 30: Alberto Aquilani of US Sassuolo in action during the Serie A match between Empoli FC and US Sassuolo at Stadio Carlo Castellani on April 30, 2017 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“I am happy and honoured to be here, a place that I got to know as a player, and was able to appreciate all the qualities that are so rare in the world of football,” said Aquilani at his presentation press conference.

“I’m a few years older, a few more grey hairs, and there is a state of the art training facility that wasn’t there before. I bring enthusiasm and hunger, the ambition to coach in Serie A since I was a little kid, so it’s a dream come true.”

SASSUOLO, ITALY – APRIL 04: Fans of US Sassuolo Calcio show their support during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Cagliari Calcio at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on April 04, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Sassuolo have traditionally adopted a 4-3-3 formation, and the new coach insists he is not going to stray too far from those concepts.

“I have clear ideas, but not a specific style of football, because football is constant evolution. This team is accustomed to playing with four at the back, so I’m not going to come here and say I want to move to a three-man defence.”

Nonetheless, Aquilani is planning something of a revamp after taking over the Neroverdi.

“It all starts from a concept of how you want to play, so we need players who have those characteristics. We’re rather lacking in some positions, but I have clear ideas on what this team needs, and those are shared ideas with the club.”

There were also negotiations with Torino and others, but Aquilani decided to begin his Serie A experience as a coach at Sassuolo.

“I spoke to other clubs, but felt closer to Sassuolo and the Squinzi family, so it felt like a natural choice. I had many coaches over the years and learned a lot from them all, but if I had to choose one I admire and felt particularly inspired by, I’d say Roberto De Zerbi.”

Alberto Aquilani is the new Sassuolo coach, presented by President Carlo Rossi, CEO Veronica Squinzi and director of sport Francesco Palmieri (sassuolocalcio.it)

He confessed to receiving congratulatory messages from fellow Serie A coaches Daniele De Rossi and Cesc Fabregas, of Genoa and Como respectively.