Born: 2 August 1967
Nationality: Italian
Place of birth: Bellinzona, Switzerland
Debut season as manager: 2004/2005
Current Club: US Lecce
Contract: June 2025
Titles as manager:
- None
Other Achievements as manager:
- Development of Players: Known for nurturing young talents and improving the technical skills of players.
- Overachievement with Mid-Table Clubs: Achieved solid mid-table finishes with teams like Empoli and Sampdoria, often exceeding expectations relative to resources.
- Tactical Reputation: Recognized for implementing a well-structured and aesthetically pleasing style of play, even with limited squads.
Managerial Career:
Giampaolo has managed several clubs in Italy, mostly in Serie A and Serie B, including:
- Ascoli (2004–06)
- Cagliari (2006–07)
- Siena (2008–10)
- Catania (2010–11)
- Cesena (2011)
- Brescia (2013)
- Cremonese (2014–15)
- Empoli (2015–16)
- Sampdoria (2016–19, and briefly in 2022)
- AC Milan (2019)
- Torino (2020–21)
- Sampdoria (2022)
System of Play:
- Formation: Giampaolo is renowned for favoring the 4-3-1-2 formation, relying on a central attacking midfielder (trequartista) to create opportunities.
- Tactics:
- Builds from the back with a focus on possession-based football.
- Emphasizes vertical play through central channels.
- Prioritizes technical players and a compact defensive structure.
- Philosophy: His teams are known for their balance between defensive solidity and fluid attacking transitions.
Summary:
iampaolo is respected as a tactician who maximizes the potential of his teams, although his lack of major silverware reflects the challenges he has faced managing mid-tier clubs or during short stints at bigger teams like AC Milan. His meticulous approach makes him a specialist in structured, methodical football.