Vincenzo Italiano

Born: 10 December 1977

Nationality: Italian

Place of birth: Karlsruhe, West Germany

Debut season as manager: 2016-2017

Current Club: Bologna FC

Contract: 

Titles as manager:

• None

Other Achievements as manager:

ACF Fiorentina: 

• Coppa Italia Runner Up 2022/2023
• UEFA Conference League Runner Up 2022/2023
• UEFA Conference League Runner Up 2023/2024

Managerial Career:

Vincenzo Italiano is an Italian football manager known for his attacking, possession-based style of play and tactical flexibility. He has quickly risen to prominence in Serie A due to his work with teams like Spezia and Fiorentina, where he has built a reputation for his proactive, high-pressing, and ball-dominant football. Italiano’s teams are recognized for their fluid movement, technical proficiency, and ability to adapt to various tactical situations.

After retiring as a player, Vincenzo Italiano began his managerial career in the lower leagues of Italian football. His early jobs allowed him to develop his philosophy and gain experience working with limited resources.

Trapani (2018–2019): Italiano’s breakthrough as a coach came with Trapani in Serie C during the 2018–19 season. He took over the team in a difficult situation but managed to lead them to promotion to Serie B. His ability to implement an organized yet dynamic style of football helped Trapani succeed, despite the financial struggles of the club.

Spezia (2019–2021): Italiano’s big leap came when he was appointed head coach of Spezia in 2019. He made an immediate impact, guiding Spezia to Serie A promotion for the first time in their history at the end of the 2019–20 season.

In Spezia’s debut Serie A campaign, Italiano was widely praised for the attractive, attacking football his team played. Despite being one of the league’s smallest clubs with a modest budget, Spezia remained competitive throughout the season, finishing in 15th place and securing their safety. Spezia’s play under Italiano was characterized by possession-based football, high pressing, and a fearless approach, even against top-tier opponents. Spezia’s survival in Serie A marked a remarkable achievement, given their limited squad depth and financial constraints, and Italiano’s role in the club’s success cemented his status as one of Italy’s most promising young managers.

After his impressive work at Spezia, Italiano was appointed manager of Fiorentina in 2021. At Fiorentina, he has continued to develop his tactical style, transforming the team into one of Serie A’s most exciting attacking sides.

Italiano guided Fiorentina to a 7th-place finish, securing qualification for the UEFA Conference League. His ability to rejuvenate the squad and introduce an exciting brand of football was widely praised. Fiorentina became known for their attractive attacking play under Italiano, with the team showing great fluidity in possession and a strong emphasis on controlling the game through ball dominance. Players like Dusan Vlahović (before his move to Juventus) flourished under his system, as did midfielders like Gaetano Castrovilli and Giacomo Bonaventura. In the 2022–23 season, Fiorentina reached the UEFA Conference League final under Italiano’s guidance, marking the club’s return to European competition and further establishing Italiano’s credentials as a top manager.

After losing three consecutive finals with La Viola both Italiano and the club agreed on departing ways in a non-dramatical fashion. Italiano´s last game as manager of Fiorentina was against Atalanta away (which also was the last game of legendary referee Daniele Orsato). 

Shortly after the departure from Fiorentina Italiano was presented by Bologna to replace Thiago Motta. A difficult task for Italiano as he is not only to replace a great coach but also to do it with a squad that has been greatly decimated by the sellings of key players such as Ricardo Calafiori and Joshua Zirkze. Our predictions at Italian Football Expert is that Italiano will have a very difficult first season as Bologna-manager.

System of Play:

Vincenzo Italiano is known for his attacking, high-pressing style and an emphasis on possession and fluid movement. His teams are usually very dynamic and proactive, regardless of the opposition. His tactical flexibility allows him to adjust to different game situations while staying true to his core principles of controlling the game through the ball.

1. Preferred Formations:
   • 4-3-3: Italiano typically employs a 4-3-3 formation, which allows for width in attack and provides balance in the midfield. This system supports his desire to control possession while offering flexibility in both defense and attack. The wingers in this setup are key to stretching the opposition and creating space for central attackers.
   • 4-2-3-1: He also uses a 4-2-3-1 formation, especially when he wants more solidity in the midfield. This allows for an additional attacking midfielder to support the striker while providing a double pivot to shield the defense and maintain possession.
2. Possession-Based Football:
   • Italiano’s teams are known for their possession-oriented style. He encourages his players to build from the back, with a focus on short, crisp passing and maintaining control of the ball. His sides aim to dominate possession, with patient build-up play leading to quick, incisive movements in the final third.
   • His teams aim to break down opponents through fluid, technical football, using clever movement and passing combinations to create openings. The full-backs are encouraged to push forward, and midfielders play a crucial role in linking defense and attack.
3. High Pressing:
   • Another hallmark of Italiano’s teams is their high pressing and intensity without the ball. His sides press aggressively high up the pitch, looking to win back possession quickly and disrupt the opposition’s build-up play. This pressing system is well-coordinated, with attackers leading the charge and midfielders pressing to force mistakes.
   • He focuses on regaining possession as quickly as possible, particularly in advanced areas of the pitch, to launch fast attacks after turnovers.
4. Attacking Play and Width:
   • Italiano’s sides use width effectively, with wingers and full-backs contributing heavily to the attack. His teams are known for their verticality in transitions and their ability to stretch the opponent horizontally, creating space for central players to exploit.
   • His attacking players are given freedom in the final third to interchange positions, which often leads to fluid attacking movements. Italiano’s forward-thinking football has earned him a reputation as a modern manager who focuses on entertaining, offensive football.
5. Tactical Flexibility:
   • While Italiano has clear principles around possession and pressing, he also shows a level of tactical flexibility. He can adapt his approach depending on the opponent or the situation, sometimes opting for a more direct approach if needed. This adaptability allows him to adjust his game plan without compromising the core philosophy of controlling the game.

Leadership and Man-Management:

Vincenzo Italiano is known for his detailed, hands-on approach to coaching, often focusing on the tactical education of his players. His ability to communicate his ideas clearly and his focus on technical details have helped him build strong relationships with his squads.

1. Player Development:
   • Italiano is credited with improving many of his players, both individually and collectively. At Spezia, he worked with a squad lacking Serie A experience, helping players like Emmanuel Gyasi and M’Bala Nzola grow into top-flight performers.
   • At Fiorentina, he has continued this trend, developing talents like Nico González, Lucas Torreira (during his loan spell), and Alfred Duncan, turning them into key contributors.
2. Demanding but Supportive:
   • Italiano is known as a demanding coach who expects high levels of commitment, particularly in pressing and defensive duties. However, his ability to communicate his tactical vision and provide clear guidance has earned him respect from his players.
   • He fosters a strong team ethic and prioritizes collective success, encouraging players to buy into his philosophy of hard work and discipline on the field.

Summary:

Vincenzo Italiano is one of Italy’s most promising modern coaches, known for his possession-based, attacking football and tactical adaptability. His rise from the lower leagues to success with Spezia and Fiorentina demonstrates his ability to maximize the potential of his squads and develop talent. Italiano’s focus on high pressing, fluid attacking play, and controlling games through possession has made his teams entertaining to watch and difficult to play against. His leadership style, which combines tactical detail with a focus on player development, has earned him respect throughout Italian football, and he continues to grow his reputation as one of Serie A’s most exciting managers.