Sassuolo has formally terminated the contract of coach Alessio Dionisi and has temporarily appointed Emiliano Bigica, the coach of the youth team, to take charge.
The decision to part ways with Dionisi had been looming since Saturday’s disappointing 3-2 home defeat against Empoli, a result that left Sassuolo teetering just above the relegation zone.
In their last 13 fixtures across Serie A and the Coppa Italia, Sassuolo managed only one victory and two draws, highlighting their recent struggles.
While there are several potential candidates to assume the managerial position for the remainder of the season, the club faces challenges in finalizing a decision, particularly as they prefer not to commit to a contract extending beyond June 30.
As the interim coach, Bigica assumes responsibility for the team. However, there remains a possibility that he could continue in the role for the duration of the campaign.
Dionisi took charge of Sassuolo in the summer of 2021, following managerial stints at Empoli and Venezia. Despite guiding Sassuolo to an 11th-place finish in his first season and a 13th-place finish in the second, the team currently faces the threat of relegation under his leadership.
Bigica, a 50-year-old former defensive midfielder with experience playing for clubs such as Fiorentina, Napoli, Bari, and Salernitana, transitioned to coaching following his retirement from professional football in 2007. His coaching journey commenced at Empoli in 2014, followed by a stint with the Italy Under-17 side for the 2016-17 campaign, before joining Fiorentina and eventually moving to Sassuolo in 2020.