The managerial merry. go. round in Serie A is spinning with a distinctly Roman accent this summer. Fresh from the whispers linking Alberto Aquilani to...
The managerial merry. go. round in Serie A is spinning with a distinctly Roman accent this summer. Fresh from the whispers linking Alberto Aquilani to the vacant post at Torino, we now hear that Sassuolo have officially entered the fray. It is a fascinating development, and one that suggests the Mapei Stadium hierarchy see something quite special in the former Liverpool and Roma midfielder.This is not merely a case of a club chasing a name. This is a calculated move by the Neroverdi's board to capture a coach who embodies the very principles of technical, possession based football that Sassuolo have championed for years. Aquilani learned his trade in the youth ranks at Roma, honed his reading of the game in England, and has now cut his teeth in the dugout with Fiorentina's Primavera. The boy can spot a pass, and apparently, he can organise a low block and orchestrate transitional play with the same clarity he showed from the centre circle.Torino's interest has been well documented, and frankly, it seemed a natural fit. Granata fans crave a return to the stylish, expansive football that has been absent for too long. But the delay from the Cairo regime has opened a window of opportunity. And Sassuolo, having seen Alessio Dionisi depart, are not the type to hesitate. They are a club built on data and forward thinking; they know exactly what Aquilani represents. He offers tactical flexibility, a willingness to develop young talent, and that priceless commodity of a cool head in the technical area.So where does the real battle lie It is a battle of ambition versus history. Torino offers the intoxicating allure of a sleeping giant, a packed Stadio Grande Torino, and a chance to be the man who wakes the bear. Sassuolo offers a settled, well oiled machine, a scouting network that finds gems, and remarkably patient ownership. The choice for Aquilani is not about money; it is about which project he believes can yield the quickest return on the pitch.For the neutral, this is compelling theatre. For the fans in Modena and Turin, it is squeaky bum time. Will Aquilani choose the established project or the grand, historic rebuild GoalZaza understands that the decision is imminent. One thing is for certain: whoever secures his signature will have landed one of the most cerebral young managers in Italian football.
