News Focus
- Alberto Aquilani is set to become the new head coach at U.S. Sassuolo.
- Torino FC have shifted their attention to Ignazio Abate after losing patience with Aquilani.
- Fabio Grosso has left Sassuolo by mutual consent to take charge at ACF Fiorentina.
- Abate currently manages Juve Stabia and is Torino’s main alternative choice.
Italian Serie A clubs are finalising their coaching plans for the new season. U.S. Sassuolo are ready to appoint former Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani as their new manager. Because of this, Torino FC have ended their pursuit of the 40-year-old and will now target Ignazio Abate.
Both coaches had held talks with each club, so it was unclear who would go where. However, reports from Sportitalia and Sky Sport Italia say that Torino grew tired of waiting for Aquilani. At the same time, the former Italy international showed more interest in joining the Neroverdi.
Aquilani has built solid coaching experience despite his young age. After he stopped playing, he worked at the ACF Fiorentina youth academy before taking charge of Pisa. He impressed many this season when he guided Catanzaro to the Serie B promotion play-off final, where they narrowly lost to Monza. He also played briefly for Sassuolo during his playing days.
Sassuolo need a new coach because Fabio Grosso has left the club. The World Cup winner ended his contract with the Emilia-Romagna side by mutual agreement and is expected to take charge at Fiorentina.
With Aquilani now out of reach, Torino are expected to speed up their plans to hire Abate. The former AC Milan defender currently manages Juve Stabia in the lower leagues. If these talks fail, Torino may consider Lecce boss Eusebio Di Francesco or bring back former manager Ivan Juric.