Gianluca Vialli, a former Italy and Chelsea striker has passed away at the age of 58 in a London hospital after a long, arduous battle with pancreatic cancer, three weeks after stepping down as Italy’s coach.
Vialli had become the first Italian manager in the Premier League after the dismissal of Ruud Gullit in February 1998.
Vialli had led Chelsea to the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Charity Shield during his time in west London.
The former coach had passed away last night, surrounded by his family, after a five-year cancer battle, just weeks after Sinisa Mihajlovic and Brazilian legend Pele had passed away.
His family had written in a statement: “We acknowledged the many who have supported him over the years with their affection. The memory of him and his example will live forever in our hearts.”