Sergio Guenza
- Dag Jenkins
- Mar 25
- 2 min read
Sergio Guenza was born in Rome on January 9, 1933.
He joined Lazio at 14 and went through the various youth academy age groups.
He never made it into the first team squad and spent his career at lower levels.
He played for L'Aquila (1952-53, Serie D), San Lorenzo Artiglio (1953-54, regional level), Lazio reserves (1955-56, winning league), Tivoli (1956-59, Serie D and 5th tier), Foligno (1959-60, 5th tier), Vis Sezze (1962-64, 5th tier) and Sora (1965-66, 5th tier). So, a career spent in minor leagues.
It was then as a coach that he had more success.
From 1971 to 1977 he worked for the Lazio youth academy.
In 1977 he took charge of Lazio women's team until 1980, winning the league title twice and a Coppa Italia.
In 1980 he became Italy women's national coach.
In 1981-82 he spent a season as Lazio U19s coach.
In 1982-83 he was assistant manager to Roberto Clagluna with Lazio's first team squad. From May 15 Juan Carlos Morrone took over from Clagluna and the Biancocelesti won promotion back to Serie A.
Guenza stayed on as assistant the following year, first to Morrone and then to Paolo Carosi. Lazio managed to avoid relegation on the last day of the season with a 2-2 draw at Pisa.
From 1982 to 1988 (so for two years in addition to his men's first team duties) he trained the Lazio female team again. He won another 2 league titles and another Coppa Italia. In these years (1986-89 he also collaborated with Tuscania near Viterbo at regional level).
In 1989 he returned to the Italy female side until 1993. He led them to the World Cup quarterfinals in 1991. In 1993 the Azzurre won silver in the European Championships held in Italy, losing out to Norway.
In 1995 he became Italy women's coach for the third time, until 1997. He again led them to a runners-up medal at the European Championships held in Norway and Sweden in 1997, this time losing to Germany.
He then had two more spells as Lazio women's team coach, in 1998-99 and 2004-05. In 1999 the Biancocelesti won another Coppa Italia.
Guenza is not a household name but is a bit of a legend at Lazio and at female football level.
Sergio Guenza died in Rome on April 6, 2020.
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