Official: Ex-Liverpool man Aquilani gets 1st Serie A coaching job

Alberto Aquilani signs his contract with Sassuolo on June 12, 2026 (via www.sassuolocalcio.it)

Sassuolo confirm the appointment of ex-Roma, Fiorentina and Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani as their new head coach.

Former Italian midfielder Aquilani has been appointed Sassuolo’s new coach for 2026-27.

Official: Sassuolo hire Aquilani

Sassuolo confirmed the appointment of the 41-year-old with an official statement on Friday.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Aquilani has signed a two-year contract.

A former midfielder for Roma, Fiorentina and Liverpool, among others, this is Aquilani’s first job in Serie A.

PARMA, ITALY - APRIL 28: Alberto Aquilani head coach of ACF Fiorentina looks on during 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) — PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 28: Alberto Aquilani head coach of ACF Fiorentina looks on during 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)

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) — 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)

He previously served as Giuseppe Iachini’s technical coach at Fiorentina in 2019-20 and then coached Fiorentina U19.

In 2023-24, he was the Pisa coach in Serie B, and in 2025-26 he coached Catanzaro, also in Italy’s second division, reaching the play-off Final, where Catanzaro lost to Monza.

Aquilani replaced Fabio Grosso at Sassuolo, after Fiorentina hired the 2006 Italy World Cup winner.

Aquilani also played for Sassuolo during his playing career, making 16 appearances for the Neroverdi in the second part of the 2016-17 campaign.

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) — 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)

Sassuolo finished the 2025-26 season in 11th with 49 points.

It’s been a day of big changes for the Neroverdi, as their ex-CEO, Giovanni Carnevali, has left the club after 12 years to join Juventus.

Official: Sassuolo hire Aquilani

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