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Gianluca Vialli has passed away after losing his second battle with cancer.
The former Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea star, 58, stepped away from his role with Italy earlier this month to focus on beating the disease.
He was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017 but revealed in April 2020 that he had received the all-clear after successfully undergoing treatment.
Vialli went on to play an important role as team co-ordinator in Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph alongside boss Roberto Mancini, his close friend and old Sampdoria team-mate.
But the ex-striker, who netted 16 goals in 59 caps and represented his country at two World Cups, confirmed in December 2021 that the cancer had returned.
And with his condition worsening towards the end of last year, his mother and brother reportedly rushed to London to be with him.
The popular Italian began his career at hometown club Cremonese before going on to star for Sampdoria and Juve, winning the Serie A title with both teams.
He joined Chelsea on a free in 1996 as Ruud Gullit continued the revolution at Stamford Bridge, building on the work of Glenn Hoddle.
Vialli’s relationship with the Dutchman soured and he was often left out of the starting line-up.
But he netted twice in a 4-2 comeback win over Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round on the road to Wembley, which culminated with victory over Middlesbrough in the final in May 1997.
Following Gullit’s dismissal early the next year, Vialli assumed the role of player-manager and led the Londoners to success in the League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup.
The Blues won the Super Cup and finished third in the Premier League the following season, before lifting the FA Cup in May 2000.
The 2000-01 campaign started with victory over Manchester United in the Community Shield, known as the Charity Shield at the time, but Vialli was sacked just weeks later as Chelsea struggled for form.
After some time out, he took the reins at Watford in 2001-02 as the Hertfordshire club made wholesale and expensive changes to the playing and coaching staff.
But after the Hornets finished a disappointing 14th, Vialli was relived of his duties and later moved into punditry work.
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