The world of football has been hit by another tragedy as former Italian striker and manager Gianluca Vialli has died at the age 58.
Vialli was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017 but given the clear in April 2020,but he was later re-diagnosed in 2021.
He announced a temporary leave from his role with Italy’s national team in December, 2022 to focus on his health.
Vialli made 59 appearances for Italy, making his debut in 1985, a year after joining Sampdoria where he would win the Serie A title and European Cup Winners’ Cup during his 8 seasons with the club. He helped Sampdoria reach the 1992 European Cup final but after losing to Ajax, he moved to Juventus for a world record fee of £12m. Vialli spent four seasons with the old Ladies of Turin, winning the Champions League, Uefa Cup and Serie A titles.
He joined Chelsea on a free transfer in 1996 and became player-manager in 1998. He was the first Italian to manage a Premier League side, taking over from Ruud Gullit late in the season, and went on to lead the Chelsea to victory in the League Cup, Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup and Uefa Super Cup.
He also guided Chelsea to victory in the 2000 FA Cup final and Charity Shield but was sacked early in the following season after a poor start.
The striker also had a short spell at Watford, then in the second tier, during the 2001-02 season but was dismissed after the Hornets only finished 14th.
