Armando Picchi

Armando Picchi was born in Leghorn (Livorno), on June 20, 1935.

Source Wikipedia

 His first clubs were local San Frediano and then Livorno.

In 1954 he joined Livorno's first team squad and stayed five seasons. The Amaranto were in Serie C but won the league and promotion to B but were relegated the following year and then finished 12th, 17th and 5th. Picchi played 105 games and scored 5 goals. His managers included Mario Magnozzi, Vinicio Viani, Ugo Conti and Ivo Fiorentini. His teammates included Lazio connections; Aldo Puccinelli (1940-43, 1945-55) and Antonio Renna (1964-66).

In 1959 he signed for SPAL in Serie A. He stayed one season under Fioravante Baldi (1-27) and then Serafino Montanari (28-34) and the Estensi finished a club record high 5th. The squad included future Lazio, Carlo Facchin (1971-72).

Picchi's impressive season earned him a move to Inter. He stayed with the Nerazzurri for seven seasons becoming a club legend. He played a total of 257 games with 2 goals. As captain he won the Scudetto three times, the European Cup twice and the Intercontinental Cup twice. The defensive trio with Picchi, Giacinto Facchetti and Aristide Guarneri became legendary. His manager was Helenio Herrera for the whole period. The squads included Lazio connections; Carlo Tagnin (1958-59), Carlo Soldo (1967-69), Rosario Di Vincenzo (1967-72), Mario Facco (1968-74), Ciccio Cordova (1976-79) and Luís Vinicio (manager 1976-78).

In 1967 he left Inter and joined Varese for two seasons in Serie A finishing 8th under Bruno Arcari and 14th (relegated). In his second season in April he also became player-manager as he had fractured his pelvis. He played 46 league games. His teammates included Lazio connection Paolo Ferrario (1960-61, 1961-62) and Antonio Renna again (1964-66).

He then retired at 34.

At international level he was less lucky and only won 12 caps for Italy and never played in a major tournament.

After retiring completely, he continued his coaching career. In 1969-70 during the season he took over as manager of his hometown club Livorno (he replaced Aldo Puccinelli). The Mullets then finished 8th. His players included Lazio connections Costantino Fava (1967-68, 1971), Giuseppe Lorenzetti (1967-69), Roberto Badiani (1974-79, 1981-83) and Scudetto winner Gigi Martini (1971-79).

In 1970-71 he became Juventus manager but in February had to step down due to illness and Čestmír Vycpálek took over (Zdeněk Zeman's uncle). Picchi died on May 26, 1971 at 35 from spinal cancer.

Picchi was a defender. He is considered to have been one of the best in Italian football history. He started as a forward but at Livorno moved back to midfield and then to right full-back. At Inter he evolved into a superb "libero". He was a phenomenal tackler, physically strong, determined and quick. He was also a born leader and could read the game like few others. He was an amazing defender but some say this excellence made him go forward less and this may have limited his appearances with the Azzurri as the manager at the time, Edmondo Fabbri, considered him too defensive.

Given his characteristics he was expected to have a great managerial career ahead of him too.

Since 1990 the stadium in Livorno has been called the Stadio Armando Picchi. In 2022 he was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame.

Sources

Wikipedia