Former Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea forward Gianluca Vialli has passed on at the age of 58 following a second battle with pancreatic cancer, it has been confirmed.
Vialli was part of a legendary Sampdoria side that took Italy and Europe by storm in the late 80s and early 90s, winning Serie A in 1990-91 amongst other honours.
He formed an iconic partnership up front with childhood friend Roberto Mancini, with the pair dubbed I Gemelli del Gol in Italian, which translates to “The Goal Twins.”
He then moved to Jvuentus for what was then a world-record fee of £12.5m and won another Serie A title, as well as the Champions League in the 1995-96 season.
He then went abroad to England and won the FA Cup, League Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup with Chelsea, becoming a folk hero at Stamford Bridge.
In 1998 he was appointed as player-manager of Chelsea after the sacking of Ruud Gullit and it was that Cup Winners’ Cup that came that season, making him the youngest manager to ever win a UEFA competition, until Andre Villas-Boas broke that record with Porto.
In the past few years he had a very public battle with pancreatic cancer, being given the all-clear in 2020. However he confirmed in December 2021 that the cancer had returned.
Chelsea have paid tribute to Gianluca Vialli. Vialli was a player and manager at Chelsea from 1996 to 2000, scoring 40 goals for the Blues.
In 2018, he revealed he overcame a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer, but it was confirmed in December 2021 that the cancer returned and he passed away on Friday, January 6th, 2023.
“This is truly an awful day for Chelsea Football Club,” read a statement signed by owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali. “Gianluca’s legend will live on at Stamford Bridge.
“His impact as a player, a coach and most importantly as a person, will be forever written across our club’s history. We send our heartfelt and deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
Vialli won the FA Cup in his first season at Chelsea, scoring two goals in an incredible 4-2 comeback over Liverpool in the fourth round.
The departure of Ruud Gullit saw Vialli become a player-manager, as well as the first Italian to manage in the Premier League.
He won the Cup Winners’ Cup, League Cup, Super Cup and had their most successful league season for 18 years in 1998 with a third-place finish.
Vialli retired as a player in 1999, scoring the winning goal in his last appearance against Derby at Stamford Bridge.
He focused on managing the club and led Chelsea to another FA Cup title in 2000. However, a disappointing start to the next season saw him sacked after five games, as he fell out with key players including Gianfranco Zola and Didier Deschamps.
At the time, Vialli was Chelsea’s best manager to date after his three-year reign.
He made regular visits to Stamford Bridge after his managerial career came to an end and featured in legends’ games.
Chelsea’s statement continued: “As soon as he walked through the door at Stamford Bridge when already a global football star, Luca declared his wish to become a Chelsea legend.
“It is a target he undoubtedly reached, revered for his work on the pitch and in the dugout during some of the most successful years in our history.
“Loved by fans, players and staff at Stamford Bridge, Luca will be sorely missed not just by the Chelsea community, but the entire footballing world, including in his native Italy, where he was such an iconic figure.
“Our thoughts are with Luca’s wife Cathryn, his daughters Sofia and Olivia, and the rest of his family and his friends at this terribly sad time.”
Vialli won the Serie A title and the Champions League with Juventus. He also won the European Cup Winners’ Cup during eight seasons with Sampdoria as player where he formed a brilliant strike partnership with Roberto Mancini.
He scored 275 goals in 733 games for club and country in his decorated career.
As a manager, he was the first Italian to manage a Premier League club and led Chelsea to League Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup and Super Cup titles, as well as leading the Blues to FA Cup glory in 2000.
Vialli was a highly-respected figure in English and Italian football. The football community and wider sportsmen and women have united in paying their respects.
Juventus simply wrote “Ciao Gianluca.” with a picture of Vialli holding up the Champions League trophy.
Sampdoria wrote in an emotional article: “You gave us so much, we gave you so much: yes, it was love, reciprocal, infinite. A love that will not die today with you.
“We will continue to love and adore you because – as you well know – you are better than Pele. And because, despite everything, our beautiful season is destined to never end.”
Watford, who Vialli managed in the 2001-02 season, wrote: “All at Watford FC are saddened to learn of the passing of our former manager Gianluca Vialli. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Udinese tweeted: A great man, a winner and a fighter on and off the pitch. You left us way too soon but we will never forget your example and your class. Ciao Gianluca.”
Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation, said: “I am deeply saddened.
“I hoped until the end that he would be able to perform another miracle, yet I am comforted by the certainty that what he did for Italian football and the blue shirt will never be forgotten.
“Without beating about the bush: Gianluca was a splendid person and he leaves a void that cannot be filled, in the national team and in all those who have appreciated his extraordinary human qualities.”
