Alberto Aquilani named new Sassuolo coach

Sassuolo has appointed Italian Alberto Aquilani as their new head coach, succeeding Fabio Grosso who departed for Fiorentina. The club announced the decision on Friday, the same day they saw their general director, Giovanni Carnevali, leave to join Juventus after years of managing the team's sports operations.

Sassuolo's vice-president, Veronica Squinzi, expressed enthusiasm for Aquilani's return, calling it "a very positive choice." She highlighted that Aquilani "returns to a club he already knows as a player," adding, "Sassuolo has grown and he has also grown. Together we can build a new cycle."

Aquilani takes over from Grosso, who led Sassuolo to an eleventh-place finish in Serie A, securing their position in Italy's top flight. The 41-year-old Roman coach previously played for Sassuolo in 2017, appearing in 16 matches. His coaching career began in July 2019 with Fiorentina's U18 team, later serving as assistant coach for the first team. He then managed Fiorentina's Primavera squad, winning three consecutive Coppa Italia titles and two Supercoppa Italiana titles.

In June 2023, Aquilani managed Pisa in Serie B, finishing 13th. After a year's break, he coached Catanzaro, leading them to a fifth-place finish and a playoff spot for promotion to Serie A, where they were ultimately eliminated by Monza.

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This is a very positive choice. He returns to a club that he already knows as a player. Sassuolo has grown and he has also grown. Together we can build a new cycle.