Giuseppe Giannini

Giuseppe Giannini (Italian pronunciation: [dʒuˈzɛppe dʒanˈniːni]; born 20 August 1964) is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Giuseppe Giannini
Giannini in 1983
Personal information
Full name Giuseppe Giannini[1]
Date of birth (1964-08-20) 20 August 1964
Place of birth Rome, Italy
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1978–1980 Almas Roma
1980–1983 Roma
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1981–1996 Roma 318 (49)
1996–1997 Sturm Graz 16 (2)
1997–1998 Napoli 4 (0)
1998–1999 Lecce 47 (4)
Total 385 (55)
National team
1984–1986 Italy U-21 16 (1)
1986–1991 Italy 47 (6)
Teams managed
2004–2005 Foggia
2006 Sambenedettese
2006–2007 Argeş Piteşti
2007–2008 Massese
2008–2010 Gallipoli
2010 Verona
2011 Grosseto
2013–2015 Lebanon
2017 Latina (head of youth)[2]
2017 Racing Roma
2017 Unicusano Fondi
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He spent the majority of his 16-year playing career with A.S. Roma, and was regarded by supporters as a club symbol, before his successor in the number-10 shirt and offensive midfield playmaker role, Francesco Totti. He played 47 times for Italy and starred in the teams that reached the semi-finals of the 1988 UEFA European Championship, and subsequently the 1990 FIFA World Cup on home soil.

Throughout his career, Giannini was often referred to as "Il Principe" (The Prince), due to his creative ability, elegance, technique, vision, and passing range, which made him an effective playmaker.[3] In addition to his technical ability and creativity, he was a mobile, versatile, and hard-working player, with notable stamina and tactial awareness, also possessing an accurate shot.[4][5]

Club career

Born in Rome, Giannini began his career as a youngster with local club Almas Roma. From a young age he attracted the attention of many of Italy's clubs, eventually signing with Roma ahead of rivals including S.S. Lazio and A.C. Milan. He made his Serie A debut on 31 January 1982 in a 1–0 defeat to A.C. Cesena and went on to make over 400 appearances for the club over the following fifteen years. During his time at Roma, whom he went on to captain, he won the Serie A title once, and the Coppa Italia three times; he also played in the UEFA Cup final during the 1990–91 season, although he did not take part in Roma's run to the 1984 European Cup final.[5]

In 1996 Giannini left Roma to play in Austria for Sturm Graz, with whom he spent just half a season before returning to Italy due to homesickness. Before retiring in 1999 Giannini had brief spells with Napoli and Lecce.[5]

International career

Under manager Azeglio Vicini, Giannini reached the final of the 1986 UEFA European Under-21 Championship with the Italy under-21 side, scoring a goal in first leg of the final against Spain, although Italy would eventually be defeated 3–0 on penalties in the second leg, with Giannini missing one of the spot-kicks in the decisive shoot-out, along with Stefano Desideri and Marco Baroni.[6]

Giannini was capped 47 times for the Italian senior national team between 1986 and 1991, scoring 6 goals.[7] He made his international debut against Malta, at the age of 22, in a European Championship qualifier in December 1986.[7] He went on to represent Italy at both the 1988 European Championships and the 1990 World Cup on home soil under Vicini, reaching the semi-final of both tournaments.[8][9] He won a 3rd place bronze medal in the 1990 World Cup,[10] scoring a goal in Italy's second group match, which ended in a 1–0 victory over the United States at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome;[11] he also set up Roberto Baggio's goal in Italy's final match of the group stage, a 2–0 win against Czechoslovakia,[12] and Aldo Serena's goal in a 2–0 win against Uruguay in the round of 16.[13] He was named part of the Team of the Tournament at Euro 1988.[9] Giannini's final appearance for his country came on 12 October 1991 against the Soviet Union.[7] He was often referred to as "Il Principe" (The Prince) by Italian sports journalists during his playing career,[14] a reference to his grace on the pitch.

Managerial career

Giannini has worked as a match analyst for RAI following his retirement; he also served as the manager of Serie C1 club Foggia from July 2003 to January 2005, when he was sacked. He started the season 2005–06 at the helm of Serie C1 side Sambenedettese, but was fired in February 2006. Later that year, Giannini then served as coach of Romanian side Argeş Piteşti, but was axed in October after nine consecutive defeats, and replaced by Dorinel Munteanu. In September 2007 he was unveiled as new manager of Massese, another Serie C1 club,[15] being however sacked in February 2008 following disagreements with the board.[16]

In July 2008 he was unveiled as new head coach of Lega Pro Prima Divisione team Gallipoli.[17] In his first season in Salento, Giannini guided Gallipoli to triumph in the league, thus winning a historical first promotion in Serie B for the club.[18] A few days later, however, Giannini and Gallipoli announced to have parted company, also because of financial issues involving the club and some rumoured interest for Giannini from other clubs.[19] Nevertheless, Giannini was then confirmed as coach by new Gallipoli owner D'Odorico.

Despite an impressive first half of season with Gallipoli, who was hailed as one of the main league surprises, Giannini resigned from his managerial post on 8 February 2010 following a 2–2 home draw to Grosseto characterized by the team players stopping for 40 seconds and turning faces towards the stadium stands as a form of protest for not having been paid any monthly salaries since October 2009. At the end of the first half, Giannini was sent off due to protests, and reached the stands in the second half, where he heatedly confronted with chairman D'Odorico and announced his resignation, together with all members of his coaching staff, immediately after the end of the game.[20] However, Giannini withdrew his resignation only two days later following a conciliatory meeting with D'Odorico.[21]

After a string of unimpressive results, Giannini stepped down again on 22 March together with his aides Roberto Corti, Fabrizio Carafa and Franco Mandarino, defining his resignations as "irrevocable".[22]

In June 2010 he agreed a two-year contract as head coach of fallen giants Verona, with the aim to guide the scaligeri to promotion from the Lega Pro Prima Divisione league.[23]

On 30 October 2011, he was appointed head coach of Serie B club Grosseto.[24] He left his post later on 3 December, after a 2–1 win at Pescara (the third consecutive away win during his stint as Grosseto boss), citing his strained relationship with chairman Piero Camilli as the main reason behind his choice.[25] On 6 July 2013, Giannini was officially appointed as the manager of the Lebanese National Team by the helps from Manchester City manager and his friend Roberto Mancini, where he will try to continue the historic success of Lebanon after they reached the final round of qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

He started his career during the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification. Under his management, Lebanon draw twice against Kuwait. He made everyone suspected on his talents after his team lost 1–4 to Iran in Beirut, even he said that only 100 spectators cheer for Lebanon in Camille Chamoun Stadium. But he almost made the Lebanese dream come true after his team slaughtered Thailand a 5–2 win right in Bangkok, and if they had not been suffered a goal down from Adisak Kraisorn with China's penalty goal, Lebanon would have been in Australia.

His most memorable match was against Olympic Brazil which his talent was proven by two goals led by Mohammed Ghaddar and Hassan Maatouk after Ademilson took the lead for Brazil. His team drew 2–2 because of an offside goal from Vinícius Araújo.

He returned into management in June 2017, being appointed head coach of recently relegated Serie D club Racing Roma.[26] A few days later, after Racing Roma owner acquired the ownership of Serie C club Fondi, he was however named new head coach for the third tier club.[27] Giannini's stint at Fondi was however short-lived, as he was removed from his position on 19 September 2017 due to poor results.[28]

Career statistics
Source:
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season Domestic
Leagues		 Domestic Cups1 European
Competitions2		 Other Tournaments3 Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Roma 1981–82 1000----10
1982–83 0020----20
1983–84 2030----50
1984–85 2646150--375
1985–86 222133----355
1986–87 2537220--345
1987–88 281171----3512
1988–89 3266461--4411
1989–90 31352----365
1990–91 24380102--425
1991–92 244314010325
1992–93 2999483--4616
1993–94 26330----293
1994–95 28161----342
1995–96 2001031--241
Sturm Graz 1996–97 162212010213
Napoli 1997–98 4011----51
Lecce 1997–98 140------140
1998–99 33430----364
Career total 3855585214072051283

1Domestic cups include the Coppa Italia and Austrian Cup
2European competitions include the European Cup, Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Cup
3Other tournaments include the Supercoppa Italiana and Austrian Supercup

Honours

Player

Roma[29]

Sturm Graz

Individual

Manager

Gallipoli

Orders
5th Class/Knight: Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: 1991[31]

References
  1. "Giannini Sig. Giuseppe" [Giannini Mr. Giuseppe]. Quirinale (in Italian). Presidenza della Repubblica Italiana. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  2. Calciomercato Latina, preso Jordan. Giannini entra nel club‚ corrieredellosport.it, 14 February 2017
  3. "Legend of Calcio: Giuseppe Giannini". forzaitalianfootball.com. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  4. "GIANNINI & BAGGIO: VIETATO CONFONDERLI" (in Italian). La Repubblica. 8 June 1990. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  5. Enzo Misuraca (24 February 2010). "Lessons in Calcio - Giuseppe Giannini". Football Italiano. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  6. "1986: Spagna di rigore sull'Italia" (in Italian). UEFA. 1 March 2006. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  7. "Nazionale in cifre: Giannini, Giuseppe" (in Italian). FIGC. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  8. "Van Basten sparks Netherlands joy". UEFA. 8 December 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  9. "1988 team of the tournament". UEFA. 19 September 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  10. "Gli azzurri centrano a Bari l'obiettivo del terzo posto e concludono il Mondiale senza sconfitte. Due gol per una squadra che aveva ancora voglia di correre. Schillaci segna su rigore ed è capocannoniere L'Italia non s'è persa" (in Italian). Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  11. "Un lampo del giocatore della Roma alimenta facili illusioni. La squadra invece si smarrisce e gli avversari crescono Americani ad un passo dal pareggio, Ferri salva sulla linea. Piovono fischi dal pubblico ma la nazionale si qualifica Giannini, poi il buio" (in Italian). Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  12. "Italia-Cecoslovacchia: 2-0 - E lo Stadio urlò: è nato il genio che ci farà felici" [Italy-Czechoslovakia: 2-0 - And the Stadium cried: the genius who will make us happy is born] (in Italian). Storie di Calcio. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  13. "Italia - Uruguay: 2-0 - Un Serena per amico" [Italy - Uruguay: 2-0 - A friend in Serena] (in Italian). Storie di Calcio. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  14. "Roma all-time XI". Channel 4. 8 January 2009. Archived from the original on 6 October 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
  15. "Massese: Giannini nuovo allenatore" (in Italian). RAI Sport. 18 September 2007. Archived from the original on 11 December 2007. Retrieved 19 September 2007.
  16. "UFFICIALE: Giannini esonerato dalla Massese" (in Italian). TuttoMercatoWeb. 13 February 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2008.
  17. "UFFICIALE: Giannini nuovo tecnico del Gallipoli" (in Italian). TuttoMercatoWeb. 12 July 2008. Retrieved 12 July 2008.
  18. "Gallipoli in serie B Foggia nei playoff" (in Italian). La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno. 17 May 2009. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2009.
  19. "Giannini, addio al Gallipoli Non potevo più aspettare" (in Italian). La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno. 17 June 2009. Archived from the original on 16 January 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
  20. "Gallipoli, protesta e tensione Pareggio e Giannini si dimette" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 8 February 2010. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
  21. "Gallipoli, Giannini torna in panchina" (in Italian). La Corriere dello Sport – Stadio. 10 February 2010. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
  22. "Gallipoli, Giannini se ne va Si è dimesso un'altra volta" (in Italian). Corriere dello Sport – Stadio. 22 March 2010. Archived from the original on 16 January 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  23. "UFFICIALE: Hellas Verona, Giannini nuovo allenatore" (in Italian). TuttoMercatoWeb. 23 June 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  24. "Primo allenamento di Giannini" (in Italian). U.S. Grosseto F.C. 29 October 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
  25. "Giannini prima salva la panchina, poi se ne va" (in Italian). US Grosseto FC. 3 December 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  26. "UFFICIALE: Racing Roma, Giuseppe Giannini è il nuovo allenatore" (in Italian). TuttoMercatoWeb. 10 June 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  27. UFFICIALE: Fondi, Pezone nuovo proprietario. Giannini sarà l'allenatore‚ tuttomercatoweb.com, 21 June 2017
  28. "UFFICIALE: Racing Fondi, esonerato Giannini. Al suo posto Mattei" (in Italian). TuttoMercatoWeb. 19 September 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  29. "Giuseppe Giannini". Eurosport.com. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  30. "A.S. Roma Hall of Fame: 2013". A.S. Roma. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  31. "Onoreficenze". quirinale.it (in Italian). 30 September 1991. Archived from the original on 20 March 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
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