Vincenzo Alberto Annese

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.

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.

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. 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

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