As the Italian summer sun prepares to cast its long shadows over the hallowed grounds of Serie A, a different kind of seismic activity is rumbling through the league. The upcoming 2025-26 season, set to kick off in less than a month, promises not just a new campaign of competitive football, but an unprecedented landscape shaped by managerial upheaval. A staggering twelve clubs, almost two-thirds of the league, will stride into the new campaign under new leadership. This isn`t merely a reshuffle; it`s a profound redefinition of Italy`s top flight, setting the stage for a season brimming with intrigue, high stakes, and tactical battles.
From seasoned architects of success taking on fresh challenges to ambitious young minds poised for breakthrough, the Serie A dugout has rarely looked so diverse. Each appointment carries its own narrative – a quest for redemption, a gamble on potential, or the continuation of a meticulously crafted dynasty. Let’s delve into the fascinating tapestry of leadership that will guide Serie A through its most transformative season in recent memory.
The Established Titans: New Frontiers for Familiar Faces
At the apex of this new order stands Antonio Conte, fresh off winning the Serie A title in his debut season at Napoli. Conte, football`s ultimate title alchemist, has now achieved the remarkable feat of conquering Italy with three different clubs (Juventus, Inter, and Napoli). His relentless drive and tactical dogma remain undisputed. With key signings like former Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne now among his ranks, the domestic challenge might seem conquered. The only challenge left, one suspects, is European dominance, a feat that has historically eluded his domestic brilliance. Napoli, under Conte, are not just favorites; they are a declaration of intent.
Close behind is Gian Piero Gasperini, the artisan who sculpted Atalanta into a formidable force over a decade. He now embarks on perhaps his biggest challenge yet: restoring long-term success at AS Roma. The Giallorossi faithful demand not just results but a clear identity, and Gasperini’s demanding, high-intensity style is seen as the catalyst for a genuine rebuild. This is a test of patience as much as tactical genius, but if anyone can reshape a club from its foundations, it’s Gasperini.
And then there’s Massimiliano Allegri, a figure synonymous with Italian success, making a much-anticipated return to AC Milan. His previous stint brought a Serie A title in 2011, and after a glittering five-title haul with Juventus, he’s back at the San Siro after a disappointing 2024-25 season saw Milan miss out on European qualification entirely. Allegri’s mission is clear: to rekindle past glories and, crucially, secure European football. His pragmatic approach might not always thrill, but his track record of delivering silverware speaks volumes.
The Calculated Risks and Rising Stars
The 2025-26 season is also marked by bold gambles and the ascension of exciting new talent. The story of Como and Cesc Fabregas reads like a modern football fairytale. Despite widespread interest, notably from Inter, Como remarkably retained the former Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder, investing a reported $100 million in the transfer market to back his vision. Fabregas is widely touted as one of Europe`s most promising young coaches, and Como are now seen not just as a newly promoted side, but as genuine contenders for a European berth. It’s an ambitious project, betting heavily on the tactical acumen of a relatively inexperienced but incredibly intelligent manager.
Across town, Inter Milan’s decision to appoint Cristian Chivu is perhaps the season`s boldest gamble. Replacing a Champions League finalist in Simone Inzaghi with a manager who has a mere 13 Serie A games under his belt (at Parma, no less) is a move that has raised more than a few eyebrows. While Chivu’s playing pedigree is unquestionable, his lack of senior managerial experience makes this a fascinating, if somewhat terrifying, experiment for a club with title aspirations.
Further down the list, but with significant long-term implications, is Carlos Cuesta at Parma, making history as Serie A’s youngest-ever manager. The former assistant to Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Cuesta’s appointment signals a new era of data-driven, modern coaching philosophies permeating even the traditional heartland of Italian football. It’s a testament to a growing trend of youthful, analytically-driven appointments, reminiscent of Enzo Maresca’s path.
The Quest for Redemption and Tactical Ingenuity
This season also offers a stage for managers seeking redemption or a chance to reassert their tactical genius. Maurizio Sarri’s surprising return to Lazio, after resigning in March 2024, is one such narrative. Despite the club`s well-documented financial constraints, their hopes of European qualification rest heavily on his idiosyncratic yet often effective “Sarri-ball” tactical acumen. Can he reignite the passion and precision that defines his best teams?
Meanwhile, Vincenzo Italiano, who masterfully guided Bologna to a historic Coppa Italia triumph last season, extended his stay, proving his mettle and silencing the whispers that he couldn’t fill Thiago Motta’s boots. His ability to deliver tangible success while playing attractive football makes Bologna one of the teams to watch, defying expectations once more.
On the more controversial side, Ivan Juric’s move to Atalanta is steeped in irony. A former player under Gasperini, Juric had a “dismal spell” at Roma and even suffered relegation with Southampton. Now he`s tasked with filling the shoes of his former mentor, following a decade of unprecedented success in Bergamo. It`s a true test of character and managerial adaptability.
And at the other end of the spectrum, Eusebio Di Francesco at Lecce faces what many see as his final frontier. A manager with four consecutive sackings and two relegations behind him, this season represents a poignant last dance, perhaps, to prove he still belongs in Serie A. His journey will be one of the most closely watched, purely for the sheer weight of expectation – or lack thereof.
An Unpredictable Season Beckons
From Igor Tudor`s confirmed tenure at Juventus to Stefano Pioli`s return to Fiorentina after a stint abroad, and Davide Nicola`s `survival specialist` role at newly promoted Cremonese, every club seems to have a story intertwined with its new or returning coach. The league also welcomes back World Cup winner Alberto Gilardino at Pisa, tasked with Serie A survival for the first time since 1990-91, and sees Patrick Vieira continue his impressive work at Genoa.
As the 2025-26 Serie A season dawns, it promises not just football, but a grand narrative of ambition, risk, and the relentless pursuit of glory. The sheer volume of managerial changes guarantees unpredictability, turning every match into a potential chess game between contrasting philosophies. The stage is set for a season where reputations will be forged or shattered, where tactical ideologies will clash, and where the beautiful game in Italy will once again remind us why it remains one of the most compelling leagues in the world.
