Aquilani, sixth manager sacked in Italy in eleven matches

Sassuolo sacked Aquilani after four months following five consecutive defeats and a 3-0 loss to Roma; the club sits 17th, one point above the relegation zone.

Alberto Aquilani has been sacked as Sassuolo manager after just four months in charge. The dismissal comes after a disastrous run of form: the club lost 3-0 to Roma on Saturday and have now suffered five consecutive defeats. Sassuolo sit 17th in Serie A, just one point above the relegation places, and have conceded 29 goals—the most in the league. In their last seven matches, they have managed only one draw.

Aquilani, a former midfielder who played for Roma, Liverpool, Juventus, Milan and Fiorentina among others, made his Serie A managerial debut this season after spells in charge of Pisa and Catanzaro. Roberto D'Aversa, who managed Parma, Sampdoria, Lecce, Empoli and Torino, is the leading candidate to replace him.

Aquilani is the sixth manager to be sacked in Serie A's opening eleven matches. Earlier dismissals this season include Fabio Grosso at Fiorentina, Domenico Tedesco at Bologna, Carlos Cuesta at Parma, Giovanni Stroppa at Venezia, and Kosta Runjaic at Udinese.