 In December 2018 he was announced as coach of Avispa Fukuoka, a Japanese club active in the J2 League.He left the team on 3 June 2019, resigning for personal reasons.The following summer he returned to Italy, becoming the coach of Juventus U23, in Serie C. On 27 June 2020, he led Juventus U23 to winning the Coppa Italia Serie C with a 2–1 victory over Ternana.Pecchia was capable of playing on both midfield wings, despite being naturally right-footed.