Emiliano Mondonico

Emiliano Mondonico was born in Rivolta d'Adda (Cremona), on March 9, 1947. His family ran an old-style restaurant (trattoria).

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He started playing football for his local club Rivoltana but his first professional club was nearby Cremonese.

He played for the Lombard Grigiorossi for two seasons between 1966 and 1968. The Violini were in Serie C and finished 18th (relegated) and then 1st (promoted). He played 46 league games with 19 goals (top scorer with 17 in 2nd season). The managers were Danilo Ravani with former Lazio player Carlo Facchin in the relegation year and Manlio Bacigalupo in the promotion season.

His excellent second season with Cremonese earned him a move to Torino in Serie A. He stayed two seasons but only played 14 league games with 2 goals (Pisa, Fiorentina), 7 in Coppa Italia with 3 goals (Reggiana, Modena, Verona) and 3 in the Cup Winners Cup with 1 goal (Partizani, Albania). The Granata finished 6th and 7th. His managers were Edmondo Fabbri and Giancarlo Cadè. His teammates included Lazio connections: Giambattista Moschino (1962-63, 1971-73) and again Carlo Facchin (1971-72) plus future manager colleagues Aldo Agroppi and Bruno Bolchi. He also played with Toro greats: Lido Vieri, Natalino Fossati, Giorgio Ferrini, Claudio Sala and Paolino Pulici.

In 1970 Mondonico signed for Monza and stayed one season. The Brianzoli were in Serie B and finished 15th, under manager Gigi Radice. He played 23 league games and was top scorer with 7 goals. His teammates included Lazio connections Guido Onor (1968-69) and Carlo Soldo (1967-69).

In 1971-72 Mondonico played a season with Atalanta in Serie A. The manager was future Lazio, Giulio Corsini and the Nerazzurri finished 10th. Mondonico only played 2 league games. The squad included future coaching colleagues Ottavio Bianchi and Giuseppe Vavassori.

In 1972 Mondonico returned to Cremonese and stayed another seven seasons. The Grigiorossi were in Serie C and finished 6th, 7th, 6th, 2nd, 1st (promoted), 18th (relegated) and 9th. He played 178 league games and scored 69 goals. His managers included Battista Rota (four seasons), Stefano Angeleri and Giovanni Galeone. His teammates included Antonio Cabrini, Walter Novellino, Cesare Prandelli and Domenico Marocchino.

He then retired at 32 but went straight into coaching.

He started in Cremona with the youth setup. In April 1982 he was promoted to the first team and then stayed four full seasons. Cremonese were in Serie B and finished 10th, 3rd, 3rd (promoted), 16th (relegated) and 9th. His players included, Gianluca Vialli, Juary, and Wladyslaw Zmuda plus Lazio connections; Filippo Citterio (1979-81), Stefano Di Chiara (1973-76), Mauro Meluso (1982-1984) and Attilio Lombardo (1999-2001).

In 1986 he became Como manager in Serie A. The Lariani finished a decent 10th. The squad included former Lazio, Enrico Todesco (1979-80).

In 1987 he returned to Bergamo and joined Atalanta in Serie B. He immediately won promotion (4th place) and then finished 6th and 7th in A. He also helped them reach the semi-final of the Cup Winners Cup in 1988 (eventual winners Malines 2-4). He coached Lazio connections; Aldo Cantarutti (1978-79), Oliviero Garlini (1984-86).

In 1990 he returned to another former club, Torino in Serie A. He stayed four seasons finishing 5th, 3rd, 9th and 8th. In 1991 the Granata won the Mitropa Cup, in 1992 reached the UEFA Cup final but lost to Ajax on away goals and in 1993 won the Coppa Italia (Roma on away goals). His squads included Lazio connections; Angelo Gregucci (1986-93), Amarildo (1989-90), Raffaele Sergio (1989-92), Roberto Cravero (1992-95), Luca Marchegiani (1993-2003), Giorgio Venturin (1994-95, 1996-99), Ivano Della Morte (1994, 1995), Giuseppe Pancaro (1997-2003) Christian Vieri (1998-99) and Dino Baggio (2000-03).

In 1994 he made another return to Atalanta in Serie B. He stayed another four seasons. He won promotion the first year (4th) and then finished 13th, 10th and 16th (relegated). He coached former Lazio Giampaolo Saurini (1988-89, 1990-91, 1993), Luciano Zauri (2003-08, 2011-13) plus future Biancocelesti Massimo Mutarelli and Christian Vieri.

In 1998 he went back to Torino in Serie B. He won promotion (2nd) but then finished 15th and relegated. The squads included former Lazio, Roberto Bacci (1990-95) Mauro Bonomi (1992-95) and Alessandro Grandoni (1995-98).

In November 2000 he took over at Napoli, replacing sacked Zdenek Zeman. He could not avoid the Partenopei getting relegated as they finished 17th. The squad included future Lazio midfielder Francelino Matuzalém (2008-13).

In November 2001 he took over at Cosenza in Serie B but was replaced in May. He was called back in December 2002 but was sacked again in February 2003.

In February 2004 he came in at Fiorentina in Serie B. Mondonico had supported the Viola from his childhood so this was a dream come true. The Gigliati finished 6th but won promotion via the playoffs (Perugia 2-1 on aggregate). His players included on loan Lazio player, Christian Manfredini  (2002-03, 2004-11).

The following year in Serie A he continued with Fiorentina but was soon replaced in October (W1, D4, L2).

His next job was from February 2006 with Albinoleffe (Bergamo) in Serie B. The Blucelesti finished 18th. He stayed on the next season and the Seriani came 10th. The squad included future Lazio goalkeeper, Federico Marchetti (2011-2018).

In 2007 he returned home to Cremonese in C1. The Grigiorossi finished 2nd but lost in the playoffs (Cittadella 2-3 on aggregate).

In December 2008 he was called back by Cremonese but he was replaced in March. Cremonese eventually finished 9th.

In September 2009 he took over at Albinoleffe (from former Lazio player, Armando Madonna) in Serie B early in the season and finished 11th. He stayed on the following season but due to health problems had to take leave halfway and hand the team to his assistant Daniele Fortunato. The Blucelesti finished 18th and stayed up via the playouts (Piacenza on away goals).

After a break and treatment, he returned in February 2012 at Novara in Serie A. He only stayed 6 league games (21-26) - W1 (Inter away), D2, L3). This was his last coaching experience.

As a player he was a forward. He played 263 league games and scored 97 league goals. He is still Cremonese's top scorer in their history with 88 goals. He was a talented forward but was inconsistent, perhaps not reaching the levels his skills could have led him to.

He was a highly respected club coach in Italy. He won five promotions to Serie A, a Coppa Italia and reached a UEFA Cup final. He did well particularly with Atalanta and Torino. He never had a team that could challenge for the title but was often called the "king of the outsiders", the coach who took the Italian provinces to Europe.

Mondonico died on March 29, 2018, in Milan. He was defeated by the cancer he had been battling on and off since 2011.

Sources

Wikipedia