Sassuolo sacks coach Alberto Aquilani after five straight Serie A defeats

Dismissal after a run of defeats

Sassuolo announced on Monday, 9 November 2026, that it had relieved coach Alberto Aquilani and his staff of their duties. The 42-year-old Roman had been hired in the summer to replace Fabio Grosso. The club's decision came two days after a 3-0 defeat at the Stadio Olimpico against Roma on Saturday, 7 November, the fifth consecutive loss for the neroverdi. Il Messaggero reported that Aquilani had conceded 19 goals across those five matches.

The club's statement thanked him and his staff in formal terms and wished them well for the future.

“The company thanks the coach and his staff for their commitment and the seriousness shown while leading the neroverdi and wishes them the best of luck for the future.”

A difficult run of results

Aquilani had made a promising start, taking 7 points from his first four matches, including a win over Juventus. The following seven games brought only one draw, against Milan, and six defeats. Repubblica said the slide left Sassuolo 17th in the table with eight points, and that its defence was the worst in the league with 29 goals conceded this season, 19 of them in the last five matches. Il Messaggero noted that the team had taken just one point from its previous seven games.

Candidates for the succession

Repubblica said Vincenzo Montella is the name at the top of the club's list. Montella had ended his spell as Turkey's coach and was in the stands at the Olimpico on Saturday. Il Messaggero, however, reported that he had asked for a bigger salary and a longer contract. Roberto D'Aversa, who was also at the Olimpico on Saturday, is the other leading candidate. Il Messaggero recalled that he took over at Torino last season from Marco Baroni, and that Ignazio Abate has held the Torino post this season. Repubblica listed Andrea Sottil as a more distant option. Il Messaggero also mentioned Francesco Calzona and Paulo Sousa as alternatives, and said sporting director Francesco Palmieri wants to close a deal as soon as possible. The international break gives the club time to decide.

A busy month on Serie A benches

AGI counted six coaching changes in Serie A after eleven rounds. Paolo Vanoli replaced Fabio Grosso at Fiorentina after three rounds, following defeats to Roma, Frosinone and Torino. Bologna handed the job to Raffaele Palladino after a poor start under Domenico Tedesco. Parma parted ways with Carlos Cuesta in the week of the first international break, after he collected 4 points from five matches, and Alberto Gilardino took over. Venezia dismissed Giovanni Stroppa after six defeats in the opening six rounds, appointing Davide Nicola in his place.