Vincenzo Montella

Vincenzo Montella

Montella in 2012
Personal information
Full name Vincenzo Montella
Date of birth (1974-06-18) 18 June 1974
Place of birth Castello di Cisterna, Italy
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current team
 Sampdoria (manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1990–1995 Empoli 51 (26)
1995–1996 Genoa 34 (21)
1996–1999 Sampdoria 83 (54)
1999–2009 Roma 192 (84)
2007 → Fulham (loan) 10 (2)
2007–2008 → Sampdoria (loan) 13 (4)
Total 383 (191)
National team
1999–2005 Italy 20 (3)
Teams managed
2009–2011 Roma (U15)
2011 Roma (interim)
2011–2012 Catania
2012–2015 Fiorentina
2015– Sampdoria

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

† Appearances (goals)

Vincenzo Montella (Italian pronunciation: [vinˈtʃɛntso monˈtɛlla]; born 18 June 1974) is a retired Italian footballer, who played as a striker, and who is currently a manager of Sampdoria.

Montella's nickname during his playing career was L'Aeroplanino ("The Little Airplane"), in reference to his small stature and trademark goal celebration, in which he spread his arms like wings. He was known as a quick, hard-working, and opportunistic striker, with an eye for goal, and has also been described as a "fine all round player, with excellent passing and dribbling skills."[1] Montella is remembered for his performances with Roma (1999–2007), winning the Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italiana with the club during the 2000–01 season, also later reaching the 2003 Coppa Italia Final. In 2013, Montella was inducted into the A.S. Roma Hall of Fame.[2] At international level, he was notably a member of the Italian team that reached the final of UEFA Euro 2000, and he also represented his country at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Montella began his managerial career as Roma's caretake manager in 2011, later coaching Catania the following season. In 2012, he moved to Fiorentina, where he spent three seasons, leading the club to three consecutive fourth-place league finishes, the 2014 Coppa Italia Final, and the UEFA Europa League semi-finals in 2015.

Club career

Early career

Montella began his club career in Serie C1 at Empoli in 1990 before moving to Serie B club Genoa in 1995, where he scored 21 goals in his only season with the club, at the end of which he lifted the Anglo-Italian Cup. He then moved up to Serie A to city rivals U.C. Sampdoria, where he remained three years, until 1999, when he moved to Roma in a 50 billion lire (about €25.823 million) transfer.[3]

Montella made his Serie A debut on 8 September 1996, against Perugia.

Roma

It was Roma coach Zdeněk Zeman that wanted him to spearhead the Roma attack, but that year Roma also signed a new coach, Fabio Capello, who disliked short forwards. Despite this, during the 1999–2000 season, Montella scored 18 goals, being the topscorer of the giallorossi, playing alongside Marco Delvecchio, in front of advanced playmaker Francesco Totti. The following year, Roma signed the Argentinian forward Gabriel Batistuta from ACF Fiorentina, the tall striker wanted by Capello.

There was a slight controversy between the two forwards concerning the jersey #9,[4] that was the number of both players; in the end Batistuta chose #18, although "Batigol" was often the coach's first choice, while Montella was usually deployed as a substitute.[5] Despite his lack of starts he was one of the main protagonists of Roma's third Scudetto in 2000–01 and scored many important goals for the team.[6]

The controversies between Capello and Montella continued in the following years as Montella was unhappy at his lack of first team opportunities, and in March 2002 he made his sadness clear stating "I would have better expectations with another coach".[7] Despite his struggle to gain a starting spot during his time with Roma under Capello, he became a club idol to the supporters, as he had a knack for performing well in the Rome derby against S.S. Lazio, scoring a brace in his first derby in 1999, and four goals in a 5–1 win on 10 March 2002;[8] His four-goal haul is still the record of goals scored in a derby match by a single player.

2003 was a difficult year for Montella, as he divorced from his former wife, Rita,[9] and was plagued with many injuries. During the 2003–04 season, he played only 12 games but still managed a good scoring record, scoring six goals, despite his limited playing time.

During the 2004–05 season, Fabio Capello finally left Roma for Juventus and, while the giallorossi had a disastrous season, Montella scored 23 goals and earned a new contract lasting until 30 June 2010, also helping Roma to the Coppa Italia final that season.[10] In the 2005–06 season, he was again plagued with injuries. He underwent surgery on both his back and shoulder, limiting him to just twelve games. In January 2007, during the 2006–07 season he was loaned to Fulham because Francesco Totti was the lone forward in Luciano Spalletti's 4–2–3–1, while Montella wanted to have more chances to play.[11]

In the yellow and red Roma jersey, he played a total of 215 matches in eight years, scoring 94 goals, becoming the fifth best topscorer of Roma's history.

He played his last game for Roma on 23 December 2006 before leaving on loan to England.

Loan to Fulham

Montella joined Fulham on a six-month loan on 4 January 2007 and was given the number 11 shirt. He scored twice against Leicester City on his home debut in the FA Cup.[12] He scored again on 27 January in the same competition against Stoke City.[13]

On 13 January 2007, he made his Premier League debut against West Ham United.[14] Against Tottenham at Craven Cottage seven days later, he scored his first Premier League goal with a penalty kick.[15] He also scored a goal against Blackburn Rovers in a 1–1 draw which gave Fulham the boost to avoid relegation.[16]

Montella quickly became popular with the Fulham fans and showed his gratitude for making him feel at home at Craven Cottage.[17] However, he hardly started under manager Chris Coleman, despite several public pleas.[18] After Coleman's sacking, Montella only started twice under replacement manager Lawrie Sanchez.[14][19][20][21] Montella hinted that he would like to return to Roma after the end of the 2006–07 season.[22] The loan was terminated by Sanchez on 8 May 2007, a week before its natural expiration.[23]

Loan to Sampdoria and return

He was loaned to Sampdoria for the 2007–08 season. Bruno Conti brought Montella back to Roma in 2008–09, after Amantino Mancini had left Roma. Montella took number 23 when he came back; Mirko Vučinić held on the number 9 shirt which was formerly Montella's, and Montella took the number 23 shirt which was formerly for Vučinić.

Montella was only able to make substitute appearances for Roma in the 2008–09 season. He played his last game on 16 May 2009.

On 2 July 2009, Montella announced his retirement from professional football as a player.[24]

Club career statistics

[25]

Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Italy League Coppa Italia Other Europe Total
1990–91EmpoliSerie C110–––10
1991–927474
1992–93135135
1993–940000
1994–9530173017
1995–96GenoaSerie B34213421
1996–97SampdoriaSerie A28222822
1997–9833203320
1998–9922122212
1999–2000RomaSerie A3118623720
2000–012814503314
2001–021913612514
2002–03299110409
2003–0411530145
2004–05372120314222
2005–06131–31162
2006–071232230175
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
2006–07FulhamPremier League1024300–145
Italy League Coppa Italia Other Europe Total
2007–08SampdoriaSerie A13400–51185
2008–09RomaSerie A1201020150
Country Italy 37318952–476425197
England 1024300–145
Total 3831919500476439202

International career

Montella received his first international cap under Dino Zoff in a UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying match against Wales on 5 June 1999, which Italy won 4–0, and he was part of the final 22-man Italian squad that took part at Euro 2000, where they reached the final.[26] Although Montella did not score during the competition, he recorded an assist in Italy's final group match against Sweden, setting up Del Piero's match-winning goal, which allowed Italy to top their group.[27] He would also make one more appearance during the tournament, in the final defeat against France in extra-time.[28] He scored his first goal for Italy in an international friendly match against South Africa in Perugia, on the 25 April 2001, which ended in a 1–0 home win for Italy.[29] In March 2002, he scored a notable double against England in an international friendly match in Leeds, giving Italy a 2–1 away victory after they had been trailing 1–0.[30] After appearing for Italy under Giovanni Trapattoni during their 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, he was chosen as a member of the Italy team that would be competing at the 2002 World Cup, where the Italians were eliminated controversially in the round of 16 to co-hosts South Korea.[31] In his only World Cup appearance, during Italy's final group stage match against Mexico in the 2002 World Cup, he had a goal wrongly disallowed. He later set up Del Piero's equaliser, which helped Italy to progress to the second round.[31] He was set to come in the round of 16 match, but South Korea scored the golden goal moments before he was set to come on.[31] He also appeared for Italy in 3 UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying matches, and he made his final appearance for Italy in an international friendly match against Russia on the 9 February 2005, which Italy won 2–0. In total, Montella holds 20 caps and 3 goals for Italy.[32]

Media

Montella has featured in EA Sports' FIFA video game series; he was on the cover for the Italian edition of FIFA 2000.[33]

Managerial career

Roma

Montella signed a three-year contract with Roma as youth team coach for the Giovanissimi Nazionali (Under-15 level).[34]

On 21 February 2011, he was appointed as interim head coach of the first team for the remainder of the season, taking over the role from resigning boss Claudio Ranieri.[35][36]

On 23 February 2011, in his first game in Serie A, Roma won away beating Bologna 1–0.[37]

On 8 March 2011, in his debut in Champions League, Roma lost away beaten by Shakhtar Donetsk 3–0.[38] He completed an eventful season for AS Roma leading the Giallorossi to sixth place in the league table, and he was subsequently released after the new club owners led by U.S. businessman Thomas R. DiBenedetto decided to appoint Luis Enrique as permanent head coach for the 2011–12 season.

Catania

On 9 June 2011, and only a few days after being released by Roma, Montella was announced as new boss of Catania, signing a two-year contract with the club from Eastern Sicily.[39] He led Catania to a mid-table placement, and ahead of Sicilian rivals Palermo for the first time in eight years; by the end of season, he was heavily linked with a comeback at Roma and the vacant job at Fiorentina. Montella left Catania by mutual consent on 4 June 2012, after only one season in charge of the team.[40]

Fiorentina

On 11 June 2012, Fiorentina announced on their official website that Montella signed a two-year-deal (later prolonged until June 2017) with the Tuscan outfit.[41] Montella's arrival saw a massive upheaval of the squad which saw 17 (including Borja Valero and Alberto Aquilani) out of the 26 senior players being new to the club. Fiorentina finished the 2012–13 Serie A in 4th place, missing out on a Champions League spot to Milan on the final day of the season.[42]

In his second season in charge, Montella led Fiorentina to the 2014 Coppa Italia Final but they were beaten 3–1 by Napoli,[43] whilst the team finished the league season in fourth place once again. In his third season, Montella helped Fiorentina reach the semi-final of the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League, where they were eliminated by defending champions and eventual winners Sevilla. Fiorentina finished the league season in fourth place for the third consecutive season. On 8 June, he was sacked as Fiorentina head coach.[44]

Sampdoria

On 15 November 2015, Sampdoria announced Montella was appointed new head coach.[45]

Managerial statistics

As of 31 May 2015
Team From To Competition Record
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
Roma (caretaker) 21 February 2011 22 May 2011 Serie A 13 7 3 3 21 16 +5 53.85
Coppa Italia 2 0 1 1 1 2 −1 00.00
Europe 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 00.00
Total 16 7 4 5 22 21 +1 43.75
Catania 1 July 2011 18 May 2012 Serie A 38 11 15 12 47 52 −5 28.95
Coppa Italia 2 1 0 1 4 4 +0 50.00
Total 40 12 15 13 51 56 −5 30.00
Fiorentina 11 June 2012 8 June 2015 Serie A 114 57 25 32 193 132 +61 50.00
Coppa Italia 12 9 0 3 19 9 +10 75.00
Europe 26 13 7 6 38 21 +17 50.00
Total 151 79 32 40 250 162 +88 52.32
Career totals League 167 75 43 49 261 205 +56 44.91
Cup 16 10 1 5 24 14 +10 62.50
Europe 26 13 7 6 38 21 +17 50.00
Total 207 98 51 58 348 239 +109 47.34

Honours

Player

Club[46]
Roma
International[46]
Italy
Individual

Manager

Fiorentina[46]
Individual

Orders

5th Class / Knight: Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: 2000[49]

References

  1. ↑ "Player Profile". BBC. June 15, 2000. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Hall of Fame 2014: Ghiggia, Ancelotti, Voeller and Candela inducted". A.S. Roma. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  3. ↑ "BILANCIO D’ESERCIZIO E CONSOLIDATO DI GRUPPO AL 30 GIUGNO 2000" (PDF). AS Roma (in Italian). Borsa Italiana Archive. 28 June 2001. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  4. ↑ "A Montella il n. 9". raisport.rai.it (in Italian). Rai Sport. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  5. ↑ "Il silenzio degli innocenti". raisport.rai.it (in Italian). Rai Sport. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  6. ↑ "Montella e Nakata rimontano la Juve". La Repubblica.it (in Italian). Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  7. ↑ "Roma, Capello-Montella è lite continua". La Repubblica.it (in Italian). Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  8. ↑ "Roma – Lazio 5–1". Avvelenata.it (in Italian). Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  9. ↑ "Un calcio al matrimonio". News2000.libero.it (in Italian). Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  10. ↑ "Montella rewarded by Roma". UEFA}. 13 April 2005. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  11. ↑ "Spalletti dà il via libera a Montella". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 1 December 2006. Retrieved 17 December 2015..
  12. ↑ Fletcher, Paul (17 January 2007). "Fulham 4–3 Leicester". BBC. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
  13. ↑ Hughes, Ian (27 January 2007). "Fulham 3–0 Stoke". BBC. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
  14. 1 2 "Tactical Formation". Football-Lineups.com. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  15. ↑ "Fulham 1–1 Tottenham". BBC. 20 January 2007. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
  16. ↑ Phillips, Owen (21 April 2007). "Fulham 1–1 Blackburn". BBC. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
  17. ↑ "High Flyer". FulhamFC.com. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  18. ↑ "MONTELLA MAKES COLEMAN PLEA". Sky Sports. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  19. ↑ Pearson, James (14 April 2007). "HUNT PILES PRESSURE ON FULHAM". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 22 July 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  20. ↑ "Fulham v Blackburn - 21st Apr 2007". Sky Sports. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  21. ↑ Rutledge, Lewis (29 April 2007). "GUNNERS PILE PRESSURE ON FULHAM". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 9 July 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  22. ↑ "MONTELLA EYES ROMA RETURN". Sky Sports. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  23. ↑ "New boss Sanchez shows his teeth". Evening Standard. London. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  24. ↑ "Grazie Vincenzo" (in Italian). asroma.it. 2 July 2009. Archived from the original on 5 July 2009. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  25. ↑ Vincenzo Montella at National-Football-Teams.com
  26. ↑ John Ley (9 June 2000). "Italy Team Details". The Telegraph. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  27. ↑ "Italy foil brave Sweden". UEFA. 6 October 2003. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  28. ↑ "Trezeguet's golden moment". UEFA. 6 October 2003.
  29. ↑ "La Nazionale supera il test del Sudafrica" (in Italian). La Repubblica. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  30. ↑ "Mondiale 2002 (Campione: Brasil) Capitolo II: L'Italia del Trap" (in Italian). Storie di Calcio. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  31. 1 2 3 "La storia dei Mondiali - 2002, Il Mondiale delle sorprese mancate" (in Italian). Eurosport. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  32. ↑ "Nazionale in cifre: Montella, Vincenzo". figc.it (in Italian). FIGC. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  33. ↑ Mattia Ravanelli (7 September 2013). "FIFA: storie di copertina". ign.com (in Italian). Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  34. ↑ "A.S. Roma-Vincenzo Montella" (in Italian). asroma.it. 2 July 2009. Archived from the original on July 5, 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  35. ↑ "La Roma ha scelto Panchina a Montella". La Repubblica (in Italian). 21 February 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  36. ↑ "Montella scuote la Roma "Ascolto, ma poi scelgo io"" (in Italian). gazzetta.it. 21 February 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  37. ↑ "Prima gioia per Montella, De Rossi abbatte il Bologna". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 23 February 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  38. ↑ "Roma fuori di testa". Il Tempo (in Italian). 11 March 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2015..
  39. ↑ "Vincenzo Montella è il nuovo allenatore del Catania – Venerdì 10 giugno alle 16.30 la presentazione" (in Italian). Calcio Catania. 9 June 2011. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  40. ↑ "Vincenzo Montella: 'Grazie, Catania" [Vincenzo Montella: 'Thanks, Catania'] (in Italian). Calcio Catania. 4 June 2012. Archived from the original on 4 August 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  41. ↑ "Vincenzo Montella is the new Fiorentina coach". Footballcracy. 11 June 2012. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  42. ↑ "Italy cries foul over penalty that helped Milan into Champions League". The Guardian. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  43. ↑ "Coppa Italia final: Rafael Benitez's Napoli beat Fiorentina 3-1". BBC Sport. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  44. ↑ "Vincenzo Montella sacked as Fiorentina head coach". BBC. 8 June 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  45. ↑ "Sampdoria announce Montella". Football Italia. 15 November 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  46. 1 2 3 "V. Montella". Soccerway. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  47. ↑ "A.S. Roma Hall of Fame: 2013". A.S. Roma. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  48. ↑ "Il premio Enzo Bearzot assegnato a Montella" (in Italian). Tutto Sport. 24 May 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  49. ↑ "ONORIFICENZE". quirinale.it (in Italian). 12 July 2000. Retrieved 19 March 2015.

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