Aquilani on Berardi reunion after Sassuolo appointment: ‘An honour to coach him’
· Yahoo Sports
Alberto Aquilani has given his first interview as Sassuolo head coach, describing his return to the club where he spent six months as a player in 2017 as both an honour and an emotional moment, ahead of his Serie A managerial debut.
The former Roma and Liverpool midfielder left Catanzaro to take up the role, and was reflective about what the club represents to him personally.
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“It is a pleasure and an honour to be back here,” Aquilani said, with quotes via the Corriere dello Sport.
“There is emotion, because it is a place where I was happy. It is a place that gave me important values, and today I have confirmation that those values are part of this great family, so I am very happy.”
Alberto Aquilani signs his contract with Sassuolo on June 12, 2026 (via www.sassuolocalcio.it)
Aquilani relishes Berardi reunion ahead of Serie A managerial debut
On working with Domenico Berardi, a former teammate during his playing days at the club, Aquilani admitted the dynamic would take some adjustment.
“Meeting him again in this role feels a little strange, because I had the chance to play with him and appreciate his incredible qualities,” he said. “He has been here for many years and has always driven this team towards important targets. For me it will be an honour to coach him.”
On the challenge of Serie A itself, Aquilani was candid about what the opportunity means.
“It is the ambition of all of us who try to do this job, as it was as a player,” he said.
“I know it is a difficult league, but I feel ready to face it with this team and this club. To the fans, it is a pleasure to see them again, I wish them all the best and I assure them that from me and my staff we will give everything within our power so that Sassuolo can have the satisfactions they deserve.”