Former Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani was appointed Sassuolo head coach in June, taking charge of his first Serie A club.
However, the Italian managed just one point from his final seven matches, losing the last five, including Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to AS Roma.
The result left Sassuolo just one point above the relegation zone heading into the November international break. Before joining Sassuolo, Aquilani had managerial spells at Pisa and Catanzaro in Serie B, as well as nearly three years in charge of Fiorentina’s Under-19s.
Following five consecutive Serie A defeats, Sassuolo decided to part company with Aquilani and have officially appointed Roberto D’Aversa as his replacement.
The club announced on Tuesday that D’Aversa had signed an initial contract until the end of the season, with the task of guiding Sassuolo away from the relegation zone.
A club statement read: “U.S. Sassuolo Calcio announces that Roberto D’Aversa is the new manager of the first team. The coach will be followed by a staff composed by: Salvatore Sullo, Marco Piccione, Marco Riggio, Paolo Rongoni, Francesco Petrungaro, Andrea Rinaldi, Simone Vignudelli, Marco Bizzarri.
“D’Aversa’s first training will take place this afternoon. The coach’s first press conference will be held at 12:30 on Thursday, 12th November, at the Mapei Football Center.”
D’Aversa is no stranger to relegation battles, having previously had two spells in charge of Parma, as well as managerial stints at Sampdoria, Lecce, Empoli and Torino, whom he left in the summer.
He joined Torino while the club were fighting to avoid relegation, recording five wins, three draws and four defeats in 12 matches to guide them to a 12th-place finish.
D’Aversa is best known for guiding Parma from Serie C to Serie A in consecutive seasons. His first game in charge of Sassuolo will come after the November international break.
D’Aversa’s appointment marks the sixth managerial change in Serie A this season, following changes at Udinese, Venezia, Fiorentina, Bologna and Parma.
Benvenuto mister!
Roberto D’Aversa è il nuovo allenatore neroverde.
#ForzaSasol 🖤💚 https://t.co/nuE5LZusjr
— U.S. Sassuolo (@SassuoloUS) November 10, 2026
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