The summer of 2025 will be remembered as one of the most eventful in recent years for Serie A coaching changes. A full twelve out of twenty clubs have changed managers, sparking a waltz of coaching changes involving illustrious names, old acquaintances of our league, and fascinating gambles. From Allegri’s return to AC Milan to Chivu’s arrival in Serie A, not forgetting Atalanta’s new cycle under Jurić, the 2025/26 season promises to be full of exciting developments.
Here’s an in-depth analysis of all the changes on the bench:
Max is back!
Massimiliano Allegri is once again AC Milan coach, fourteen years after his first spell at AC Milan, Allegri took a full season off after his time at Juventus, which ended with highs and lows (but, honestly, more lows than highs). A sabbatical that allowed him to recharge his batteries and reflect on the future, following a second spell at Juve, which was marked by pressure, criticism, and a style of play that was never entirely convincing.
His return to AC Milan is significant: Allegri returns to an environment where he had already won a Scudetto (2010/11) and from which he was dismissed in 2014. The mission is clear: to bring AC Milan back to where it matters, in Europe and ideally among the top four. The club has bet on Max’s experience and solidity, in a context where competition within the league has increased significantly.
Gasp-Roma: The End of an Era
The other high-profile move is Gian Piero Gasperini‘s move to Roma. After writing Atalanta’s history, leading them consistently among the league’s top clubs and reaching a European final, Gasperini has accepted the Giallorossi challenge. He replaces Claudio Ranieri at Trigoria.
Gasperini brings his own consolidated philosophy, based on aggression, verticality, and talent development. At Roma, he will find an already competitive squad, with interesting additions such as Ferguson, Wesley, and El Aynaoui. His challenge will be to repeat his feat in a much more demanding and media-rich club than Bergamo.
Jurić: Atalanta’s New Direction
Precisely to take on Gasperini’s weighty legacy, Atalanta has chosen Ivan Jurić. It’s a choice that makes sense in many ways. The former Torino and Verona coach is one of the most accomplished players in the game, playing aggressive, vertical football, and fully embraces the Bergamo club’s philosophy.
A new era is beginning in Zingonia: a rejuvenated squad, plenty of talent to develop, and expectations to manage. Juric will have to be skilled at keeping Atalanta competitive in Serie A and in Europe (UCL), even without Gasperini’s status (and charisma). But the Nerazzurri have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to protect their own projects.
Pioli Returns to Florence
After his international stint at Al Nassr, where he also coached Cristiano Ronaldo, Stefano Pioli returns to Serie A as Fiorentina coach, a club he knows well and which he previously led from 2017 to 2019.
The Viola has decided to entrust him with an ambitious project, with an interesting transfer window: Edin Džeko has arrived from Fenerbahçe to bring experience and quality to the attack, as well as Fazzini and Sohm.
Pioli will have to prove he can relaunch Fiorentina in Europe, seeking the continuity that has been lacking in previous seasons. His pragmatic style and ability to manage complex dressing rooms will be put to the test.
Sarri’s second return: return after sabbatical
Maurizio Sarri makes another excellent return to the Lazio bench. After leaving at the end of the 2023/24 season and a year off, the former Napoli, Juventus, and Chelsea manager returns to the capital to begin a new chapter, this time with full control.
Sarri has made it clear that he chose Lazio for its continuity and familiarity with the club. After a year away, he will need to rediscover his rhythm and inspiration, but his footballing vision remains intact. The key issue will be his relationship with the management, especially with Claudio Lotito, who has always been a key figure in the Biancocelesti’s dynamic.
Baroni-Torino
Another significant change is that of Torino, who have appointed Marco Baroni as coach after Vanoli’s tenure. Baroni arrives from Lazio, where he didn’t leave a lasting impression and had a difficult season, partly due to a tense relationship with Lotito.
In Turin, he will find an environment that seeks stability and results. The goal will be to lead the Granata back to the lower half of the table and, if possible, compete in European competitions. His ability to manage diverse groups and motivate players will be crucial.
Carlos Cuesta to Parma: an intriguing gamble
Parma has made a bold and modern choice: they have chosen Carlos Cuesta, born in 1995, a former technical assistant at Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. A brilliant Colombian, highly regarded in England for his tactical preparation and vision, Cuesta represents a true innovation for our league.
At 30, he will be the youngest coach in Serie A. The Ducal club focuses on playing identity and developing talent, in full harmony with the philosophy of the former Arsenal player. He’s worth watching with great interest.
Davide Nicola-Cremonese: Guarantee of survival
Cremonese, returning to Serie A, has chosen a specialist in impossible missions: Davide Nicola. Coming off several miraculous saves in his career (most notably Crotone and Salernitana), Nicola represents the right man for the right job.
The Cremonese club is counting on his ability to unite the group and give the team a solid identity. Reliability will be the objective, with practical, unified football.
Di Francesco-Lecce: Last call?
Lecce restarts with Eusebio Di Francesco, coming off a very difficult year at Venezia. For the coach, this is likely one of his last chances to relaunch themselves in Serie A.
Di Francesco will have to shake off the label of a “nice but ineffective” coach and demonstrate his ability to make an impact even in less well-equipped environments.
Lecce, as always, will focus on interesting young players (especially AC Milan’s Francesco Camarda) and the warmth of the Via del Mare.
Gilardino-Pisa
Pisa made history by securing promotion to Serie A 34 years later, under Filippo Inzaghi, but Alberto Gilardino will lead the Nerazzurri into the top flight. A surprising but thoughtful choice: Gila had his ups and downs in Genoa, but he certainly represents a young and growing profile.
With Pisa still undiscovered in the new division, Gilardino will have to prove he can handle the weight of Serie A. The team is relying on him.
Pisacane-Cagliari: Continuity and Identity
Cagliari are promoting Fabio Pisacane, a former Rossoblu player and a beloved face among the fans, from their Primavera squad. This is a heartfelt choice, but also a choice based on continuity: Pisacane knows the environment, the club, and the young players in the youth academy.
In his first experience in Serie A, he will be tasked with establishing himself in the category. The club is counting on his motivational skills and his consistency with the island’s values. A “Gattuso to Milan”-style move, it’s a move that’s yet to be tested.
Chivu-Inter
The last name on the list is also one of the most interesting: Christian Chivu will coach Inter, the club where he won everything as a player and where he has worked in the youth academy in recent years.
This will be Chivu’s first Serie A coaching job, and he will do so with the aim of providing continuity to the Nerazzurri project. His work with young players, his knowledge of the environment, and his Inter identity make him a coherent and courageous choice.
Serie A is changing
With twelve of the twenty managers changed, the 2025/26 Serie A is preparing for a season marked by technical and tactical renewal. Between excellent returns, international challenges, and domestic promotions, the league is enriched with fascinating stories and connections.
The spotlight will be on Allegri and Chivu, the post-Gasp Atalanta project, but also on the “fairytales” to be written by Cuesta, Pisacane, and Nicola. One thing is certain: the manager, more than ever this year, will be one of the decisive factors in the race for dreams.