Again, supported by Matricciani because of his lack of a regular coaching license, Colantuono led Catania to a reasonably good season in ninth place.

In 2004–05, after the Gaucci family sold Catania, Colantuono was finally authorized to act as the first team coach, signed for Perugia, and was just relegated to Serie B.

[2] However, after a number of unimpressive performances ended by a crushing 5–0 loss to Juventus persuaded club chairman Maurizio Zamparini to sack him on 26 November 2007.

He guided the granata through their 2009–10 Serie B campaign, with the aim to promptly lead the historical Turin club back into the top flight.

[7] He announced his resignation after losing the promotion playoff finals to Brescia, contemporaneously confirming he was in talks for the vacant coaching post at his previous club Atalanta.

Keeping with their manager for the 2013–14 Serie A campaign, Coulantuono secured 11th place and some impressive performances, including victories of local rivals Internazionale and A.C. Milan.

[11] He then guided Bari from November 2016 until June 2017, only achieving twelfth place with one of the clubs more widely expected to fight for a promotion spot.

After being confirmed in charge of Salernitana for the 2018–19 season, Colantuono resigned on 18 December 2018 after three consecutive defeats, leaving the promotion hopefuls in a mid-table position in the league table.

[14] On 17 October 2021, he was appointed new head coach of his former team Salernitana, replacing Fabrizio Castori and taking over with the club being at the bottom of the 2021–22 Serie A table.