Vincenzo Alberto Annese (born 22 September 1984) is an Italian professional football manager and former player. He is currently coaching the Equatorial Guinea national team
After beginning his coaching career in Italy, Annese managed clubs and national teams in Latvia, Armenia, Ghana, Palestine, Indonesia, Kosovo, Belize, India, Nepal Afghanistan and Burkina Faso. He won two consecutive I-League titles with Gokulam Kerala.
Early life Annese began his football career as a midfielder for the youth team of Venezia. He later played for Martina Franca, Noicattaro and Leonessa Altamura.
After a brief playing career, Annese attended the Higher Institute of Physical Education (ISEF) at the Università degli studi di Foggia and the University of Verona, focusing on the adaptation of sports to disabled people.
Coaching career Early career Annese began his coaching career in the youth team of Fidelis Andria in 2010. In 2012, he joined Foggia as part of the coaching staff during the 2012–13 and 2013–14 seasons. Between 2015 and 2016, he worked abroad in Latvia with JFK Saldus and with the Armenia U-19 and U-17 national teams.
Bechem United In January 2017, Annese was appointed as the head coach of Ghanaian Premier League club Bechem United for the 2017 season. Under his management, the club finished as runner-up in the Ghana Super Cup.
Ahli Al-Khaleel On 25 July 2017, Annese joined West Bank Premier League club Ahli Al-Khaleel on a one-year deal as the head coach. He led the club to the finals of 2016–17 Palestine Cup and 2017 West Bank Super Cup.
PSIS Semarang For the 2018 season, Annese was appointed head coach of Liga 1 club PSIS Semarang.
Belize On 17 June 2019, Annese signed a one-year contract to become head coach of the Belize national football team.
Gokulam Kerala On 19 August 2020, Annese joined I-League club Gokulam Kerala. Under him, the club won their first I-League title in the 2020–21 season and qualified for the 2022 AFC Cup group stage. During his tenure, the club achieved a 21-match unbeaten run in the I-League. Under his management, Gokulam Kerala won the 2021–22 I-League title, becoming the first club to win consecutive I-League titles. He received the 2021–22 I-League Best Coach award.
At the 2022 AFC Cup group stage opener, Gokulam Kerala recorded a 4–2 win against Indian Super League club ATK Mohun Bagan. On 1 June 2022, Annese announced that he would not continue with Gokulam Kerala.
NorthEast United On 8 December 2022, Annese was appointed Indian Super League club NorthEast United as the new head coach after the club sacked Marco Balbul mid-season.
Nepal On 1 March 2023, the All Nepal Football Association appointed him as head coach of the national team. Later that year, Nepal won the 2023 Prime Minister's Three Nations Cup defeating Laos in the final.
Afghanistan On 25 June 2025, Annese was hired as the new head coach of the Afghanistan national football team.
Burkina Faso On 28 October 2025, Annese signed a one-year contract with the Burkina Faso national football team as the technical director.
Equatorial Guinea On 26 August 2026, Annese was hired as the new head coach of the Equatorial Guinea national football team for the next two years.
Managerial statistics
+ Managerial record by team and tenureTeamNatFromToRecordJFK Saldus1 April 201631 December 2016Bechem United13 January 201722 June 2017Ahli Al-Khaleel25 July 201715 March 2018PSIS Semarang26 March 201822 August 2018Liria Prizren12 November 20182 March 2019Belize17 June 201920 June 2020Gokulam Kerala19 August 202031 May 2022NorthEast United8 December 20221 March 2023Nepal1 March 202330 November 2024Afghanistan 1 January 202527 October 2025603327 −50.00Equatorial Guinea 26 August 2026Total
Honours Manager Bechem United Ghana Super Cup: 2017
Ahli Al-Khaleel Palestine Cup runner-up: 2016–17 West Bank Super Cup runner-up: 2017
Gokulam Kerala I-League: 2020–21, 2021–22
Nepal 2023 Prime Minister's Three Nations Cup
Individual Syed Abdul Rahim Award (I-League Best Coach): 2021–22
References