Why Alberto Aquilani views Sassolo as the perfect Serie A launchpad

Under the bright lights of the Mapei Stadium, Alberto Aquilani steps onto the touchline as the new head coach of US Sassolo Calcio. The 42‑year‑old, who once wore the Sassolo shirt for six months in 2017, says the club feels like a natural choice for his first Serie A managerial role, even as he flags gaps in the squad.

After hanging up his boots in 2018, Aquilani worked in the Fiorentina youth academy before taking charge of Pisa and Catanzaro in Serie B, narrowly missing promotion in the play‑offs to Monza last season. Those experiences have prepared him for the step up to Italy’s top flight.

He takes over from Fabio Grosso, who departed for Fiorentina, and thus begins his Serie A career at Sassolo. The vacancy gave Aquilani the chance to implement his long‑held ambition of coaching at the highest level.

“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,” Aquilani said at his presentation. “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.”

Sassolo have traditionally adopted a 4‑3‑3 formation, and Aquilani insists he will not abandon that structure. “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,” he explained.

He acknowledges that the squad is lacking in some positions, but says he has a clear concept of the player characteristics required. Those ideas have already been shared with the club’s hierarchy.

Negotiations with Torino and other clubs took place, yet Aquilani felt closer to Sassolo and the Squinzi family, describing the move as a natural choice. He added that he admires Roberto De Zerbi and drew inspiration from his coaching philosophy.

Aquilani also received congratulatory messages from fellow Serie A coaches Daniele De Rossi of Genoa and Cesc Fabregas of Como, underscoring the respect he commands among his peers.