Somma started his coaching career in 1997 with amateur team Pro Cisterna, and then served as head coach for several other Serie D teams, including Potenza and Cavese, winning promotion to Serie C2 with the latter. In 2003, he was appointed at the helm of Serie C1 team Arezzo, leading the Tuscan side to a historical triumph in the league. This caused interest by Empoli, which chose to offer him the job for their 2004–05 Serie B campaign. As Somma managed to win a personal third consecutive promotion, leading Empoli to become Serie B runners-up, he was confirmed by the Tuscans for their 2005–06 campaign; despite an impressive start, Empoli's performances slowly fell down, causing Somma to be dismissed from his job in January 2006.
