Michele Serena  Michele Serena (; born 10 March 1970) is an Italian football manager, and former football defender. He usually played as a right-back, although he was capable of playing on either flank. Serena started his playing career with Mestre of Serie C2, then become Venezia following a merger. He was signed by Juventus in 1989, and made four league appearances with the "bianconeri". He then played for Monza and Verona on single season loans, before signing for Sampdoria in 1992, where he played for three years. In 1995, he was signed by Fiorentina, and in 1998 by La Liga club Atlético Madrid, where he made 35 appearances with 3 goals during his only season with the club. During his time with the Spanish club, he gained a spot in the national team, making his one and only appearance with the "azzurri" on 5 September 1998, in a 2–0 away win to Wales, under Dino Zoff. He then returned to Italy the following season to play for Parma, making 15 league appearances, but moved on to Inter soon after, during the winter transfer market (in an exchange with Paulo Sousa). With the "nerazzurri" jersey, he made only 25 appearances in three seasons, mainly because of the several injuries he experienced during his years at Inter, which forced him to retire in 2003. In 2007, he became the Venezia youth team coach, also getting involved in obtaining a coaching licence. On 11 March 2008 he was unveiled as new Venezia head coach, replacing Salvo D'Adderio. He was sacked a few months later, on 11 November, due to poor results. He was recalled on February 2009, with Venezia placed in the league bottom, and managed to bring his club out of the relegation zone. This attracted interest from Serie B club Mantova, who appointed him as new boss for the 2009–10 season. Mantova finished 3rd bottom of Serie B and were relegated. However, due to financial difficulties, their entry to Lega Pro Prima Divisione was rejected and the club folded. On 13 January 2011, Serena was appointed the manager's job at Serie B side, Grosseto, until the end of the 2010–11 season. On 5 October 2011 he becomes the new coach of Spezia in Lega Pro Prima Divisione group A, in place of the sacked Elio Gustinetti, but on 4 January 2013 he was sacked.