MILAN (AP) - Emiliano Mondonico, a former Torino coach who was famous for raising a chair over his head in protest during his team’s loss to Ajax in the 1992 UEFA Cup final, has died following a long battle with cancer. He was 71.
Clara Mondonico announced the death of her father on Facebook.
“Goodbye Dad…. you were our example and our strength… now we will try to continue as you have taught us… forever yours,” she wrote.
Mondonico was also known for getting himself sent off on purpose while playing for Cremonese in 1967 so he would be free to attend a Rolling Stones concert the following weekend.
Mondonico also played for Torino, Monza and Atalanta, and also coached Atalanta and Fiorentina, among others. He started and ended his playing career at Cremonese, where he also began his coaching career.
His biggest success as coach was winning the 1993 Italian Cup with Torino, beating Roma in the final.
After coaching the youth team at Cremonese, Mondonico was promoted to the senior team in 1982 and two years later led the club back into Serie A after a 54-year absence. He also led Atalanta (twice), Torino and Fiorentina back into Serie A.
During his first spell at Atalanta, Mondonico led the then-second-division team to the semifinals of the 1988 Cup Winners’ Cup.
Mondonico also coached Como, Napoli, Cosenza and AlbinoLeffe. His last job as a coach was at Novara, but he was fired in March 2012 after six matches in charge, including a notable victory at Inter Milan.
Mondonico’s funeral will take place on Saturday in Rivolta d’Adda, near Milan.
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