Alberto Delfrati

Alberto Delfrati was born in Codogno (Lodi-Lombardy), on June 6, 1924.

He started his professional career with Cosenza in 1946. He stayed three seasons playing 64 league games. The Calabresi were initially in Serie B and finished 12th, 10th (relegated) and then 5th in C. His managers were Argentine Atilio Demaría and Hungarian András Kuttik.

In 1949 he signed for Napoli in Serie B. He played for the Partenopei for five seasons and they finished 1st (promoted), 6th twice, 4th and 5th in A. He played 127 league games for the Neapolitan Azzurri. His manager was Eraldo Monzeglio for the whole time.

In 1954-55 he went to Pavia on loan in Serie B. He played 33 league games and the Azzurri finished 18th and were relegated under manager Gipo Poggi.

In 1955 he moved to Ferrara and signed for SPAL in Serie A. He played 73 league games and the Estensi finished 9th twice and 12th. His managers were Fioravante Baldi for one season and Paolo Tabanelli for two. His teammates included Lazio connections; Sigvard Löfgren (1951-55) and Orlando Rozzoni (1959-61, 1962-64, 1965-66).

In 1958 he joined his last club Vigevano and stayed two seasons. The Ducali were in Serie B and finished 19th (relegated) and 17th in C (relegated). A double drop, so not a great way to end his career. He played 67 league games and then retired at 36.

He then went into coaching. He started with Arona (Novara) at amateur level. In 1963-64 he was head coach of Novara in Serie C and finished 6th. He then had a brief spell at Asti TSC in D.

In 1967 he arrived at Lazio. He was involved in the youth sector but was also assistant manager for the first team. In 1967-68 the manager was first Renato Gei and then Bob Lovati and the Biancocelesti finished 11th in Serie B. In 1968-69 the manager was Juan Carlos Lorenzo and Lazio won the league and promotion to Serie A.

Delfrati's coaching career then continued with Casertana in Serie B but he was replaced during the season. The Rossoblu were eventually relegated.

In 1971 he returned to Napoli and was assistant manager for five seasons. He worked with Giuseppe Chiapella (8th and 9th), Luís Vinício (3rd and 2nd, both UEFA qualifications). In the last season Vinicio started and finished the league (5th) but resigned for the final stages of the Coppa Italia in June. Delfrati took over with Rosario Rivellino and managed to win the cup, defeating Verona 4-0 in the final.

In 1976 he was back at Lazio following Vinicio as his assistant. They stayed one full season (5th-UEFA) while in the second they were replaced at the end of March. Lazio eventually finished 10th. They however were in charge when Bruno Giordano, Lionello Manfredonia and Andrea Agostinelli started playing regularly.

Delfrati then went back to Napoli from 1980-82 as assistant to Rino Marchesi (3rd -UEFA and 4th).

In 1982-83 he was assistant to Marchesi at Inter and the Nerazzurri finished 3rd (UEFA).

His last job was with Napoli again from 1983-85 as assistant first to Pietro Santin and then Marchesi. The Azzurri finished 11th and 8th. In the second year they trained the great Diego Armando Maradona.

As a player Delfrati was a reliable right full-back. He played seven seasons in Serie A with 165 appearances.

As a manager he was mainly an assistant especially to Vinicio and Marchesi but he had the satisfaction of winning the Coppa Italia in 1976.

Delfrati died on October 23, 1990, in Naples.

Source

Wikipedia