Marco Baroni

Born: 11 September 1963

Nationality: Italian

Place of birth: Florence, Italy

Debut season as manager: 2000/2001

Current Club: SS Lazio

Contract: 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2026

Titles as manager:

• None

Other Achievements as manager:

• Promoted Benevento  from Serie B to Serie A 2016/2017
• Promoted US Lecce from Serie B to Serie A 2021/2022
• Saved US Lecce from being relegated in Serie A 2023/2024
• Saved Hellas Verona FC from being relegated in Serie A 2024/2025

Managerial Career:

Marco Baroni is an Italian football manager and former player known for his tactical pragmatism and ability to navigate challenging managerial environments, particularly in lower-division clubs and with teams battling relegation. His managerial career has seen him work with numerous clubs in Italy, most notably achieving promotion to Serie A with Benevento.

After retiring as a player, Baroni transitioned into coaching, starting with youth teams. He gained experience managing at the youth level for clubs like Siena and Juventus, which helped him develop a strong tactical foundation and the ability to work with young players.

Baroni worked his way up through the Italian football pyramid, managing clubs in Lega Pro (third division) and Serie B (second division). He developed a reputation as a competent manager capable of stabilizing teams and implementing solid defensive structures.

One of his early notable achievements came at Virtus Lanciano in Serie B. Despite working with a limited squad, Baroni kept the team comfortably in mid-table, showcasing his ability to maximize resources.

Baroni took charge of Pescara in Serie B during the 2014–15 season. Although the club had aspirations of promotion, Baroni was unable to meet expectations, and he was replaced before the season ended.

Baroni’s most significant achievement as a manager came with Benevento. He was appointed in 2016 and guided the club to a historic promotion to Serie A in the 2016–17 season. This was a major milestone for Benevento, as it was their first-ever promotion to the top flight in Italian football. However, despite the success of the promotion, Benevento struggled mightily in Serie A during the 2017–18 season. The team endured a disastrous start, losing their first 14 games in a row, which set a new record in Serie A history. Baroni was eventually dismissed in October 2017, as the team faced relegation pressures early in the season.

After his time with Benevento, Baroni managed several clubs, mostly in Serie B, often tasked with stabilizing teams in difficult circumstances.

He was hired by Frosinone to help the club avoid relegation from Serie A in the 2018–19 season. However, despite some improvements, Baroni could not save Frosinone from relegation, and he left the club at the end of the season.

In 2019, Baroni managed Cremonese in Serie B. His tenure here was short, and he was dismissed after the team struggled to climb the standings.

In 2021, Baroni took charge of Lecce, a club with aspirations of returning to Serie A after relegation in 2020. Baroni was tasked with rebuilding the team and leading them back to the top division, and he successfully guided Lecce to promotion in 2021–22 after finishing 1st in Serie B.

Baroni continued to lead Lecce in Serie A during the 2022–23 season, where his pragmatic and organized approach helped them secure safety in the top flight. This achievement was impressive, considering the limited resources available to the club compared to many Serie A sides.

In 2023, Baroni was appointed as the manager of Hellas Verona, a club known for being a tough relegation battler in Serie A. His task is to help them maintain their status in Italy’s top division, building on his reputation as a coach who can handle pressure and stabilize teams in difficult situations.

The recent move of Baroni to take over SS Lazio is definitely a step in the right direction for the Firenze tactician which will see him replace Maurizio Sarri in the blue part of Rome. Our predictions at Italian Football Expert is that Baroni will succeed at the biancocelesti thanks to his humble personality and tactical flexibility when faced with new situations. 

System of Play:

Baroni is known for his pragmatic and adaptable tactical approach, focusing on solid defense and structured play, especially when managing teams that are fighting relegation or are under-resourced.

1. Defensive Solidity: Baroni’s teams often emphasize defensive discipline and organization. This has been a hallmark of his management style, particularly when taking over teams in crisis or looking to avoid relegation. He prefers compact defensive setups to limit the opposition’s chances.
2. Counter-attacking Football: While Baroni prefers stability at the back, his teams also look to attack quickly on the break. This has been effective in matches where his sides have faced stronger opponents, as he relies on quick transitions and exploiting spaces left by the opposition.
3. Tactical Flexibility: Baroni is not tied to a single formation but is flexible in his tactical approach depending on the players at his disposal. He has used formations like 4-4-2, 4-3-3, and 3-5-2, adapting to the strengths of his squad. In many cases, his system is built to ensure defensive coverage and maximize efficiency in attack.
4. Focus on Set Pieces: Given that Baroni often manages teams with fewer attacking talents compared to rivals, he places a significant emphasis on set pieces. This includes both defensive organization during opponent set pieces and utilizing dead-ball situations to generate scoring opportunities for his own team.
5. Developing Young Players: Baroni’s experience managing youth teams early in his career has translated into a willingness to work with young players. His teams often feature younger players or those developing in their careers, particularly at clubs like Lecce or Benevento, where nurturing talent has been a key focus.

Leadership and Man-Management:

Baroni is respected for his calm and composed demeanor, even in high-pressure situations. He often takes on challenging jobs where clubs are in turmoil or fighting for survival, and he manages to get his players to buy into his system. His ability to communicate effectively and foster team spirit has been crucial to his success in stabilizing teams, particularly during relegation battles.

Summary:

Marco Baroni is a tactically flexible and pragmatic manager with significant experience managing clubs in Italy, particularly those battling relegation or seeking promotion. His most notable achievements include leading Benevento to their first-ever Serie A promotion and guiding Lecce back to the top flight. While his career has had ups and downs, Baroni is known for his defensive acumen, counter-attacking philosophy, and ability to manage difficult situations. He has built a reputation as a stabilizing force capable of steering clubs through challenging periods.