Sheffield Wednesday have been in contact with Italian coach Giuseppe Iachini, claims a recent report from Italian outlet Tutto Mercato Web.
It’s been claimed that Sheffield Wednesday have been in contact with Iachini, 59, after Italian side Sampdoria opted to appoint Italian legend Andre Pirlo instead of Iachini.
Iachini racked up more than 400 career appearances as a player and he’s been in management for 22 years, having held stints with the likes of Chievo, Brescia, Palermo, Udinese, Fiorentina, and more – his last spell in the dugout was with Parma during the 2021/22 campaign.
Reacting to the news of Iachini being linked with the Hillsborough vacancy, former Sheffield Wednesday man Carlton Palmer told Football League World:
“Sheffield Wednesday have been linked with Giuseppe Iachini as their new head coach.
“For me, I think that’s a hell of a gamble in the Championship, somebody who has not managed in this league before.
“He’s only ever managed in Italy, his record is not fantastic, so I believe this is just paper talk and rumours.”
Who is Giuseppe Iachini?
Beginning his playing career in 1981, Iachini has been in Italian football since. He’s a household name in the country and he’s often linked with the latest job openings in the nation, though he’s become synonymous for being something of a short-term appointment.
His longest stint managing one club is three years, with Italian outfit Piacenza between 2004 and 2007. Since then, Iachini has only held one position that has lasted more than two years, but he’s made a habit of getting teams promoted from Serie B into the Italian top flight, doing so with Chievo, Brescia, and Sampdoria, and all within a four year period.
Iachini is also a manager who seems to return to previous clubs a lot of the time, often returning as an interim having done so with Brescia, Palermo, and Fiorentina.
Fiorentina is perhaps the most high profile club that he’s managed. Iachini was in charge between 2019 and 2020 and then again for a brief spell in 2021 – with the club, Iachini oversaw 41 total games, winning 14.
In 2008, Iachini received the Panchina d’Argento award – an award given to the outstanding manager in Italy of that year, and he earned the award after guiding Chievo to the Serie B title.
Iachini then certainly doesn’t lack experience. But he is completely lacking in experience of English football and that is perhaps the key thing for Wednesday to consider here.
Tutto Mercato Web’s report seems to suggest that Iachini is just a candidate at this point though, and not a leading one.