Pippo Marchioro, the coach who led Cesena to Europe, dies at 90

On a quiet afternoon in Cesena, the news spread that Pippo Marchioro, the coach who guided the club into European competition, had died at the age of 90. His death marks the loss of a figure who, in 1976, steered Cesena to qualify for the UEFA Cup.

Born in Milan, Marchioro began his football journey as a striker and was a key part of Varese’s rapid rise from Serie C to Serie A between 1962 and 1964. His playing days laid the foundation for a coaching career that would span several Italian clubs.

As head coach of Como, he secured two league titles: the Serie C1 championship in the 1978‑79 season and the Serie B championship in 1979‑80. These back‑to‑back successes cemented his reputation as a promotion specialist.

Marchioro later replicated his formula at Reggiana, winning the Serie C1 title in 1988‑89 and the Serie B title in 1992‑93. Both triumphs added to his record of guiding clubs to higher divisions.

In 1973, he lifted the Coppa Italia Semiprofessionisti with Alessandria, adding a national cup to his list of honours. The victory demonstrated his ability to succeed in knockout competitions as well as league campaigns.

He also enjoyed a brief spell at Milan during the 1976‑77 season, but his tenure ended after just 15 matches when he was dismissed. The short episode contrasted with his longer, more fruitful periods elsewhere.

The strongest bond of his life was with the city of Cesena, where he lived with his daughter Letizia. His connection to the club and the community endured long after his coaching days.

The football world now remembers Giuseppe "Pippo" Marchioro not only for the trophies he won but for the lasting impact he had on Cesena’s history and on Italian football as a whole.