Overview
- Italian outlets report he died at 84 in a Udine hospital after a period of illness.
- He earned four promotions as a manager: Pescara in 1986–87 and 1991–92, Udinese after replacing Adriano Fedele in 1994, and Perugia in 1995–96.
- His sides prioritized an adventurous 4-3-3 and he coined the line "Il portiere è un optional," later clarifying it as a call for sound defensive organization.
- He mentored Massimiliano Allegri, Gian Piero Gasperini, and Marco Giampaolo, with Allegri visiting him in hospital before Milan’s match against Udinese.
- Celebrated in Pescara yet often at odds with presidents such as Scibilia and Luciano Gaucci, he is remembered in obituaries that differ on his retirement year and Serie A appearance totals.