Vincenzo Alberto Annese (born 22 September 1984) is an Italian professional football manager and former player.
After beginning his coaching career in Italy, he managed clubs and national teams in Latvia, Ghana, Palestine, Indonesia, Belize, Kosovo, Nepal and India. He won two consecutive I-League titles with Gokulam Kerala.
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 UniversitÃÂ degli studi di Foggia and the University of Verona, focusing on the adaptation of sports to disabled people.
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 2012âÂÂ13 and 2013âÂÂ14 seasons. Between 2015 and 2016, he worked abroad in Latvia with JFK Saldus and with the Armenia U-19 and U-17 national teams.
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.
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 2016âÂÂ17 Palestine Cup and 2017 West Bank Super Cup.
For the 2018 season, Annese was appointed head coach of Liga 1 club PSIS Semarang.
On 17 June 2019, Annese signed a one-year contract to become head coach of the Belize national football team.
On 19 August 2020, Annese joined I-League club Gokulam Kerala. Under him, the club won their first I-League title in the 2020âÂÂ21 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 2021âÂÂ22 I-League title, becoming the first club to win consecutive I-League titles. He received the 2021âÂÂ22 I-League Best Coach award.
At the 2022 AFC Cup group stage opener, Gokulam Kerala recorded a 4âÂÂ2 win against Indian Super League club ATK Mohun Bagan.
On 1 June 2022, Annese announced that he would not continue with Gokulam Kerala.
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.
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.
On 25 June 2025, Annese was hired as the new head coach of the Afghanistan national football team.
On 28 October 2025, Annese signed a one-year contract with the Burkina Faso national football team as the technical director.
Bechem United
Ahli Al-Khaleel
Gokulam Kerala
Nepal
Individual